V ^ ^^^^'mc^ '^cC 9 1940 <^s x5^ THE CENTENNIAL RECORD FREEWILL BAPTISTS. 1780-1880. DOVER, N. H.: THE PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT. I88l. Copyright. PREFACE. It has seemed fitting to gather into this permanent form some of the memorials of the Freewill Baptist Centenary. The principal portion of the volume is composed of papers that were especially prepared to be read at the Centennial Conference in 1880, but with the probability that they would be preserved in their present shape. These include the Conference sermon, the exercises at the meeting of aged ministers, and the historical sketches of the mission- ary, educational, anti-slavery, temperance and Sunday- school work of the denomination. The others, excepting the poems but including the tables at the close of the vol- ume, were primarily prepared for the book where they now first appear. The papers have been written by different individuals, and although they treat of branches of work that were closely related, yet it is believed that repetition has been in the main avoided, while unity has been preserved. The engravings that appear in the volume are from orig- inal portraits of persons not now Hving, but who were among the esteemed and representative men of their gen- eration. The frontispiece represents a group of ministers that, with the exception of David Marks who immediately 4 Preface. succeeded them, were active in the first quarter of the century that is now closed. These are clustered about the name of Benjamin Randall, of whom no actual portrait exists, but the results of whose work are immortal. The volume may be regarded as a denominational hand- book, and as such it will revive memories of the past, be of practical use in the present, and transmit facts to the future student of denominational history. In grateful recognition of the Providence that has watched over and guided the denomination in the past, and in the hope and belief that the divine hand will not be withheld in the future, the volume is commended to those who now inherit the blessings that have flowed from the fathers' sacrifice and toil. March, iS8i. CONTENTS. The Freewill Baptists, . 9 Rev. J. M. Brewster. The General Conference, . 60 Rev. G. H. Ball, D. D. Centennial Hymn, .... • 74 Mrs. J. A. Lowell. Our Mount Tabor, .... , 76 Mrs. V. G. Ramsey. Conference Sermon, . 78 Prof. B. F. Hayes, D. D. The Foreign Mission, • 113 Rev. J. M. Brewster. The Home Mission, .... • 135 George F. Mosher. Educational Work, .... . 156 Rev. W. H. Bowen, d. d. Sunday-School Work, . 167 Rev. O. E. Baker. Contents. Temperance, Anti-Slavery, Publications, Rev. H. F. Wood. Rev. I. D. Stewart. Rev. I. D. Stewart. Educational Institutions, Rev. G. C. Watennan. Aged Ministers, Rev. Silas Curtis. 178 191 203 213 234 Tables : — Denominational Statistics, 239 Yearly Meetings, .... 240 General Conferences, 241 Anniversaries, .... 242 Foreign Mission Society, . 243 Foreign Missionaries, 244 Home Mission Society, 245 Home Missionaries, 246 Teachers of the Freedmen, 247 Churches Assisted by H. M. Society, . 248 Education Society, 251 Literary Institutions, 252 Sunday-School Union, 253 Temperance Society, 254 Anti-Slavery Society, 25s Contents. Woman's Missionary Society, . 256 Publications, List of. • 257 Printing Establishment, . . 265 Engravings : — BuzzELL, Stinchfield, Colby, Marks, Frontispiece. Martin Cheney, 30 George T. Day, 55 Ebenezer Knowlton, 60 Jeremiah Phillips, . • 113 Elias Hutchins, 132 William Burr, 204 HOSEA OUINBY, • 213 THE FREEWILL BAPTISTS. ' There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains ; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon.' — Ps. j2: i6. This utterance of the royal Psalmist finds an illustration of the principle involved in it, and per- haps even a fulfillment, in the existence and growth of the Freewill Baptists. It w'ill be the object of the writer in these introductory pages to account for their existence and to trace their growth. The trunk of the tree will be this historical statement, and the succeeding papers wall constitute the branches. FORMATIVE INFLUENCES. On Sunday, Sept. 30, 1770, at noon, there ap- peared a stranger slowly riding in the streets of Portsmouth, N. H., and uttering, as he rode, the words, — "Mr. Whitefield is dead. He died in Newburyport at six o'clock this morning." Among those who heard this sad and startling announce- ment was a young man, twenty-one years of age, a resident of Newcastle, an island in the harbor a few miles distant, but who had come to Portsmouth on that day to attend public worship. These facts, 10 Centennial Record. as stated, constitute a focal point at which influ- ences concentrate and from which they diverge. Omitting to mention the more remote convergent influences, it will suffice to say in reference to the more immediate ones, that God had raised up George Whitefield, the eloquent preacher and the eminent revivalist of the eighteenth century, and had commissioned him to do a special and needed work. In his active and eventful life, he had stirred Eng- land in every part ; and though dead, his influence in that country still lives. He had come to Ameri- ca seven times ; and that, too, when the Atlantic was practically some five times as wide as it is to-day. Finding this new land in the stupor of a dead religious formalism, and exposed to all the evils resulting therefrom, he traversed it from Georgia to Maine and planted the seeds of spiritual life. His burning and stirring words were freight- ed with solemn and precious truths. The seeds planted, watered with his tears, produced fruitage. The Methodists, now numerous and influential, came into being ; the Baptists, who had been few and scattered, were multiplied and strengthened ; the Congregationalists and the Presbyterians, who had become staid and formal, were transformed and quickened, and the call was sounded which summoned the Freewill Baptists to a place among the tribes of the spiritual Israel, and it was made apparent that their existence was necessary. "The wilderness and the solitary place blossomed as the rose." The Freewill Baf lists. ir On Friday, Sept. 28th, Mr. Whitefield had con- cluded a series of revival discourses in Portsmouth. There, as well as elsewhere, great interest was manifest in his work, and thousands flocked to hear him. On Saturday, he had preached in Exe- ter, and on the night of that day he had repaired to Newburyport to spend the Sabbath. As it proved, with the dawning of the day he entered upon the eternal Sabbath of rest. The name of the young man mentioned as among those who heard the in- telliiience of Mr. Whitefield's death was Benjamin Randall. He had listened to the eloquent preacher several times, and was one of the hearers of his last sermon in Portsmouth. He had formed a resolute purpose to resist his message ; but the news of his sudden death was like an arrow from the quiver of the Almighty sent to his heart. He resisted no longer ; and consecrating his all to the Lord Jesus, he found peace in believing, and was made partaker of the blessed assurance of adop- tion. He became the possessor of a conscious Christian life and a vivid religious experience. Socially Mr. Randall belonged to the more com- mon walks of life. His father, who bore the same name as the son, had followed the sea, and he had been attended by the latter in some of his voy- ages. The times could not afford large education- al advantages. Randall was now engaged in the occupation of a sail-maker. For a period a few years later, he was a soldier in the war for Ameri- can independence. Soon after his conversion he 12 Centennial Record. was happily married, and he and his wife became members of the church in New Castle, which was Congregational, or of "the standing order," as it was then known. It seems to have been a typical New England church of the period. In the consideration of these divergent influences, it is fitting to notice some of the features of the character and condition of the New England church- es, to the consciousness of which Randall gradual- ly awoke and with which he found himself antago- nistic. As the years passed. New England Puri- tanism, which has done much for America and the world, had become bereft of many of its more vital- izing and better qualities. Indieed, it was well- nigh a corpse. While it retained its old and set forms of doctrine, the clergy occupied doctrinal po- sitions all the way from the standpoint of Calvin to that of Pelagius. Not a few of those who minis- tered at the altar were unconverted men who had entered upon the duties of the sacred office as a mere profession. A large portion of the voting members of the churches, having become such through what was termed " the half-way covenant," ■or because they were christened in infancy, had never experienced a change of heart ; and persons of intemperate habits and scandalous lives came to the communion. Every town was a parish, over which a minister was settled for life ; and he was supported by a tax levied upon every citizen with- out regard to religious belief or preference. This tax was collected by the same means, forcible if The Freewill Baftists. 13 necessary, as other taxes. The stern Calvinistic flavor, which was more commonly given to the bread of life, made it extremely unpalatable to the people who were hungering for the simple " milk of the Word." The presence of a gospel preacher, however worthy, within the limits of one of these town parishes was considered a great intrusion. The state of affairs was simply unendurable, and a reform was demanded. But, by the side of this for- bidding picture, it must be stated that there were in those days parishes in New England to which de- vout men ministered in the fear of God. The pious soul of Randall revolted at what he saw and experienced in the church in New Castle ; but he was powerless to effect a reform within it, for the pastor and a large majority of the members were against him. His connection with the church soon practically ceased. A careful and prayerful study of the Word of God led him to embrace Bap- tist sentiments, and he was soon baptized by Rev. William Hooper at Great Falls, N. H., and united with the Baptist church in Berwick, Me., of which Mr. Hooper was pastor. He now grew rapidly in Christian life and experience. From a leader of religious meetings and a reader of printed sermons, he soon became a recognized preacher and gospel laborer ; and this advancement w^as not from any design on his part, but because he must heed the voice of God. Advancing step by step, he entered the open doors set before him. Revivals followed his efforts. Though persecutions attended him, he 14 Centennial Record. went bravely forward. His fame spread, and he was urged to carry the message of life to towns comparatively distant, and he heeded the call. It was now 1778, and Randall w^as invited to lo- cate in the rural town of New Durham, some forty miles north-west of Portsmouth. Though the coun- try was new, and the people were but few and scattered, he accepted the invitation and removed thither in March of that year ; and there was his home until his death, thirty years later. In his new home friends gathered around him, but fresh trials awaited him. It was soon observed that he did not preach the sterner Calvinistic doctrines held and promulgated by many of the Baptist preachers of that day. When he was asked why he did not preach the doctrines of predestination, particular election, limited atonement and final perseverance as his brethren did, his simple reply was, "I do not believe them." It was during the year 1779 that this fierce controversy raged, and he was then tried, adjudged unsound and disfellowshiped. But the verdict against him was not unanimous. There were at that time in Eastern New Hampshire and Western, Maine several Baptist ministers who, with their churches, entertained liberal views and who sympathized and co-operated with Randall. Prom- inent among them were Pelatiah Tingley, Samuel Weeks and Daniel Hibbard who afterwards became useful and influential Freewill Baptist ministers. Randall w^as formally and publicly set apart to the work of the gospel ministry at New Durham on the The Freewill Baptists. 15 5th of April, 1780. Revs. Tosier Lord and Ed- ward Lock, both liberal Baptist ministers and sym- pathizers with Randall, were the officiating clergy- men. As was customary in those times, the occa- sion was a notable one. EARLY YEARS — I780-181O. In his new home, Randall was abundantly use- ful. Though his necessities oblifjed him to use his shears and ply his needle, for he was a tailor by trade, and sometimes to labor in his field, for he possessed a small farm, he found time and oppor- tunities to preach the glorious gospel both at home and abroad. Kindred spirits gathered around him and rallied to his support. The 30th of June, 1780, was signalized as the day on which was organ- ized at New Durham a church composed of seven believers, four men and three women. The Bible was taken as their rule of faith and practice, and articles of faith expressive of their understanding of it, and a covenant indicative of their views of Chris- tian obligation, were adopted. The early Freewill Baptist churches, as well as those recently organ- ized, imitated this example. This first church took the name of simply Baptist. In laying this foundation stone, the layers built better than they knew. That same church, though subsequently reorganized, still exists, and it has long borne the appropriate title of "the mother church" of the Freewill Baptists. The vine then planted " ran over the wall" and at the close of the year 1780, 1 6 Centennial Recoi'd. there were four other churches in fellowship with it. Randall multiplied his labors and extended them into Maine beyond the Kennebec river, a comparatively long distance for those days of slow locomotion. As the result, churches were in- creased and revival influences extended. In 1790, there were eighteen efficient churches witli eight ministers and about four hundred members. This was in spite of some serious defections, including what was known as the Shaker delusion which, at one time, threatened great disaster. Ten years la- ter, in 1800, there were fift3^-one churches, with thirty ministers and an estimated membership of two thousand. At the close of the third decade, or 1810, which was nearly identical with the death of Randall, the churches had increased to one hun- dred and thirty, the ministers to one hundred and ten and the estimated membership to six thousand. The denomination had gained a foot-hold in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, in all of which States Randall had proclaimed the joyous message of free salvation. It existed germinally in New York, Ohio and Canada. Revivals had been nu- merous and in some instances powerful. If, how- ever, the growth was slow, it was nevertheless sure. In those days, it should be remembered, the railroad, the telegraph and the religious and daily newspaper were unknown. Thus far, the work had gone forward under the personal leadership of Randall. He was the in- spirer and director in every movement, and around The Freewill Baf lists. 17 him all the forces rallied. Good and efficient men, however, were raised up to co-operate with him. Of these Pelatiah Tingley, especially in view of his age, attainments and character, long occupied a foremost position. He was a graduate of Yale col- lege, and his educational acquisitions enabled him to render great service to the cause. He was to Randall something like Melancthon to Luther. York county, Maine, was largely his field of labor. He lived to a good old age, and was universally esteemed. Early in the second decade, Jolin Buz- zell, a young man converted through the direct in- strumentality of Randall, consecrated himself to the work of the ministry. At first he promised much, and the character developed and the success attained in later years met the expectations which had been cherished. In 1798, he took up his resi- dence in Parsonsfield, Me., where he died sixty- five years later. As it proved, he was, more than any other one, qualified to lead in the continuation of the work which Randall had commenced. He was, in his prime, a powerful preacher and a judi- cious leader. There were times, especially, when he was set for the defense of the truth. Cotempo- rary with Buzzell, was Ephraim Stinchfield, of New Gloucester, Maine. He was devoted in piety, sac- rificing in spirit and incessant in labors. During his long ministerial career, he was pre-eminently the apostle to the Freewill Baptist churches of INIaine. If he occupied a plane somewhat difierent from that of Buzzell and was less widely known, he i8 Centennial Recoi'd. was scarcely less useful and no less beloved. In addition to these able and devoted men, Zachariah Leach and- Henry Hobbs, of Maine, Isaac Towns- hend, David Knowlton, Winthrop Young and Sam- uel B. Dyer, of New Hampshire, Aaron Buzzell, Nathaniel Brown and Nathaniel King, of Vermont, are worthy of honorable mention. Noble and God- fearing men were they all ! The early preachers of the denomination, as a class, had neither wealth, prestige nor worldly wisdom to commend them, but going forth in the name and strength of the great Master, they told the simple story of the cross in such a manner as to carry conviction to the hearts of sinners. The technically doctrinal position of Randall was well defined almost from the very commence- ment. Especially was it so after a long spiritual struggle in his corn-field, which probably occurred near the time of his ordination, and in which he was seemingly brought face to face with God, and was made to "see light in his light." The great foundation principles of the theology of the Free- will Baptists, such as the trinity in unity of the Godhead, the fore-ordination of God dependent upon his fore-knowledge, the free agency and sinfulness of man, the universality of the atonement, the ne- cessit}^ of repentance, faith and regeneration by the Holy Spirit and the fixed character of future re- w^ards and punishments, together with the immer- sion of believers in water, as the only Scriptural baptism, have undergone no essential change for The Frecurill Baftists. 19 one hundred years. The question of open or close communion was decided in favor of the for- mer as soon as it was presented for decision. In this, the fathers took a position which their children are proud to maintain. This system of doctrines as a whole is peculiar to the Freewill Baptists alone. The church polity of Randall and his co-laborers was developed to meet emergencies as they arose. From the individual and local church, there was an association of churches or the Quarterly Meeting, which took its name from the frequency of its ses- sions. An association of Qiiarterly Meetings took the name of Yearly Meeting for a similar reason. Such were the general facts, and it is needless to trace the development in all its details. At the close of the third decade, there were six Quarterly Meetings which constituted one Yearly Meeting. It is probable that the higher bodies were less strictly advisory than at present. In those early days there were church officers which have since become useless, and customs which have now be- come effete. For twenty years the churches of the denomination recognized no other name but that of Baftist churches. Other names were applied to Randall and his followers, some of them in derision. One of which, "Freewillers," became a tower of strength, and was incorporated with "Baptist," hence the name " Freewill Baptist." The mission of the Freewill Baptists was from the first reformatory. Called into existence by the demands of the times, they were bold, earnest and 20 Centennial Record. aggressive. Calvinism, as it was then preached, and an unsanctified ministry supported by compul- sory taxation, received no mercy at their hands, thoujrh in their zeal to correct this one class of abuses, some of them failed to appreciate fully the value of sanctified education and the fact that the true gospel laborer should be sustained. Wicked- ness in all its forms was denounced unsparingly. External opposition had to be overcome and inter- nal dissensions quieted. The spirit of fanaticism, vi^hich occasionally manifested itself, had to be quelled. But the thing of the first importance was to warn sinners to flee from the " wrath to come." Having gained a foot-hold, and being keenly alive to the spirit of the age, they were fast becoming prepared for the great work of later years. It is impossible to give a correct estimate of the charac- ter and work of the fathers without an intimate knowledge of the times in which they lived. Eld. Benjamin Randall died at his home in New Durham, after a lingering sickness, Oct. 22, 1808, at the age of 59 years. His funeral, conduct- ed by Eld. John Buzzell, was largely attended. His death caused deep mourning and made a great vacancy. Some have attempted a description of his person and a delineation of his mental and spir- itual characteristics, while others have freely ac- knowledged his sincerity and goodness, but have questioned his ability. In the presence of all such attempts it is enough to say that he so walked with God, whose servant he was, as to leave his abiding The Freezvill Baptists. 21 impress upon the thoughtful character of thousands who honor his name ; and that he truly apprehended the channel towards which the thoughts of the whole Christian world would tend a hundred years later. In view also of the times and circumstances in which he accomplished his work, the wonder that he did so much is greatly increased and intensified. THE "judges " PERIOD 181O-183O. Not without reason, have the years which fol- lowed the death of Randall, embracing two dec- ades, been denominated as the "Judges" period of Freewill Baptist history. While it was not literal- ly true that " every man did that which was right in his own eyes," yet there was a strong tendency in that direction. The influence of Randall's person- al presence was wanting, and the restraining power of his counsels was no longer felt. As was natur- al, ambitious and restless spirits asserted them- selves. The points in teaching and practice, such as opposition to sanctified education and the sup- port of the ministry, which were erroneous, were made more prominent. Under the leadership of a few such men as Revs. Elias Smith and Abner Jones, efforts were made to break down many of the safe- guards which Randall had established, and to car- ry the Freewill Baptists as a body over to the Christian denomination. The strong current which set in this direction was very effectually stemmed by John Buzzell and others who set themselves against it. 22 Centennial Record. But there was a bright as well as a dark side to the period. In it, some of the men bearing the most honored names in the Freewill Baptist minis- try for the entire century first came to notice. Among them were George Lamb, Peter Clark, Jo- seph White, Enoch Place, Thomas Perkins, Sam- uel Burbank, Clement Phinney, Arthur Caverno, Elias Hutchins, Herman Jenkins, Josiah Fowler, David Dudley, John Stevens, Richard M. Car}- and Hosea Quinby, all of whom served the cause faith- fully, and have gone to receive their reward. There were also others who still remain to bless the cause of God by their presence and counsels. The name of nearly every one of the men men- tioned is closely identified with subsequent Freewill Baptist histor}', and most of them were the victors of many conflicts. But the "Gideon" of this "Judges" period was John Colby. He was born in Sandwich, N. H., in 1787. Some years later, he removed w^ith his parents to Sutton, Vt. There he commenced the work of an evangelist in 1809, at the age of twenty- two years. Feeling that he was led by impres- sions of duty, he undertook a long preaching tour to Southern Ohio, and even penetrated Indiana. He traveled on horseback through an unexplored region and endured many hardships. His out- ward journey lay through southern New York and Pennsylvania. He returned by way of Lake Erie and Niagara Falls. He was absent eight months, and traveled more than three thousand miles ; and The Freeivill Baptists. 23 in his absence he saw no person whom he previous- ly knew, nor did he hear from his home. From one point of view, this journey seems to have been un- necessary and chimerical, yet as a matter of histo- ry, it is stated that, in subsequent years, Freewill Baptist churches sprung up all along his route. Such are the ways of Providence ! Though strug- gling with feeble health, Colby was for a period of nearly eight years ceaselessly active. In Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Rhode Island, he proclaimed the glorious gospel with burning zeal, and thousands joyfully heard his message from God. In the last named State, he was the first to preach Freewill Baptist doctrines, and he organized the first church in the denomination within its lim- its, at Burrillville, in December, 181 2. Until his death in 1817, which took place at Norfolk, Va., whither he had repaired in pursuit of health, Rhode Island was, more than any other State, his home. There are still here and there aged pil- grims, who, in their youth, looked upon his tall and slender form, heard his burning, though per- suasive, words, and were impressed by his saintly face. His name and memory are among the most sacred keepsakes of Freewill Baptist history. Long may they be cherished ! During these two decades, from 1810 to 1830, there was considerable extension of the borders of the denomination. Eli Stedman had removed from Vermont to southern Ohio, in 1804, and at a later period David Dudley, of Maine, and others 24 Centennial Record. came to his assistance, but the cause in that State subsequently received a severe check, by all the churches, with a few individual and honorable ex- ceptions, going over in a body to another denomi- nation. The work was afterwards commenced afresh and was vigorously prosecuted. In 1809, Na- thaniel Brown removed from Vermont to Bethany, Genesee County, New York. He there planted the first church of the denomination in the State, and from this nucleus, most of the churches in western New York have sprung. The work in Canada, which had been commenced by Avery, Moulton, and others, was strengthened, and gospel laborers from western New York had planted churches in Canada West. Freewill Baptist doc- trines were also preached, and churches were gath- ered, in Nova Scotia, Pennsylvania and Indiana. But in no State, perhaps, in which the denomina- tion gained a foot-hold, did the work promise bet- ter than in Rhode Island, where it was commenced by Colby and, subsequent to his death, was carried forward by Joseph White, of blessed memory, Reuben Allen and Zalmon Tobey and others. Strong and deep foundations were laid, and they still endure. In 1830, the denomination numbered twenty-one thousand members, belonging to four hundred and fifty churches which were embraced in thirty Qj.iar- terly Meetings and seven Yearly Meetings. There were three hundred and seventy-five ministers. The multiplication of Yearly Meetings rendered The F7'€czuill Baptists. 25 necessary the existence of a body which should be composed of representatives from them, and which should be empowered to speak in behalf of the de- nomination at large, serving to bind it together, and occupying to the Yearly Meetings a relation similar to the one which they occupied to the Qiiar- terly Meetings and the Quarterly Meetings to the churches. This relation is for the most part advi- sory, and whatever authority the higher bodies have over the lower, is such as has been deleofated by the lower to the higher. The need felt and rec- ognized was supplied by the General Conference, which was organized, and held its first session, at Tunbridge, Vt., commencing Oct. 11, 1827. Nine- teen delegates were present from New England and one from New York. Enoch Place, who was, per- haps, the most prominent leader in the movement which culminated in the organization, was modera- tor, and Hosea Quinby, who was just then coming into notice, w^as clerk. The session was of one week's duration, and it was in every particular a success. Among its decisions was one in favor of ordaining colored men to the gospel ministry. This was a fitting forerunner of the later anti-slav- ery position of the Freewill Baptists. With the General Conference thus organized, the capstone of the polity of the denomination was laid. At first the body convened annually, and the second and third sessions were held at Sandwich, N. H., and Spaffbrd, N. Y. At these meetings, action was taken which gave definite statement to some of 26 Centennial Record. the first principles of Freewill Baptist doctrine and polity. In all things there were earnests of the in- fluential and valuable work of the body in later 3''ears, in which it has become the great popular gathering of the denomination, as well as the delib- erative assembly of its chosen representatives. Perceiving the advantages to be derived from the press, the Freewill Baptists were not slow to em- ploy this instrumentality. At the commencement of the present centur}^ there was not a single relig- ious newspaper published in America. "The Her- ald of Gospel Liberty," founded in 1808, and edited and published by Elias Smith, is claimed to have been the first, and it was, for a time, patronized by many Freewill Baptists. In part, at least, for the purpose of counteracting the evil influence of some of the views expressed in this publication, John Buzzell commenced at Parsonsfield, Me., the issue of " A Religious Magazine,'' which was continued quarterly for two years. Its publication was then suspended until 1820, when it was resumed and continued for two years. In 1819, Ebenezer Chase commenced the publication of "The Religious In- former," at Andover, N. H., and continued it eight years. It was issued at first once in two weeks, but afterwards monthly. " The Freewill Baptist Magazine" was issued from Providence, R. I., in 1826, and it was continued two years as a quarterly and two years as a monthly. All these publica- tions were in pamphlet form, and, though their cir- culation could not have been extensive, they served The Freewill Baptists. 27 as a valuable means of communication between the churches, and did much to extend a knowledge of the doctrines and polity of the denomination. But the necessity of a weekly organ was felt and recog- nized ; and, in due time, it was met. The publica- tion of "The Morning Star" was commenced at Limerick, Me., in May, 1826. It was undertaken by a company composed of nine persons, eight of whom were Freewill Baptist ministers. The busi- ness name of the firm was Hobbs, Woodman & Co. John Buzzell was the first editor of the paper, and Samuel Burbank was his assistant and office editor. William Burr, a young man twenty years of age, a native of Hingham, Mass., and who had been em- ployed on " The Boston Traveller," was the first printer. Some seven years later the enterprise was purchased by the denomination, and the paper was removed to Dover, N. H., where it is still pub- lished. These facts are especially significant in view of their relation to subsequent history. With 1830, the first half century of the life of the denomination was completed. The tree had been planted, and its trunk had attained commendable proportions. The branches had already begun to spread, and the fruitage which had appeared gave promise of rich harvests in later years. Among the thing-s which had been accomplished was the passage of what was known as the toleration act by New Hampshire and some other States, among the provisions of which was the making of the support of the gospel to depend upon the voluntary contribu- 28 Centennial Record. tions of the people. The triumph was a grand one. The results which have followed attest to the great value of this reformatory work in which the Free- will Baptists took a leading part. In the closing years of this first half century, there were begin- nings which must be left to be noticed in connec- tion with their growth and development. Life moral and spiritual is perpetuating, and waves of influence once set in motion are many-sided and far- reaching. "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." RAPID GROWTH — 183O-1845. It was with a decided impulse that the denomina- tion entered upon the second half century of its ex- istence. Twenty-one thousand of earnest and con- secrated Christian men and women organized into four hundred and fifty churches, existing in seven States and three of the British Provinces, and led by three hundred and seventy-five ministers of the same character, could not but be, under God, a great moral and spiritual power. The first fifteen years of the period witnessed a numerical growth which was truly wonderful. In 1845, the member- ship was more than sixty thousand, and the in- crease of the churches and the ministers was in like proportion. The denomination had gained a foot-hold in Michigan and Illinois, and had been strengthened in all the sections where it had pre- viously existed. No period of its existence abounds in facts of deeper interest. In it, the Freewill Bap- The Freczvill Baptists. 29 tists became not only a more numerous, but also a broadened people. At this juncture, there appeared a marked man, whose name has been hitherto purposely omitted, who was to the Freewill Baptists at the commence- ment of this second-half century of their existence very much what Randall was at the beginning. It was David Marks who was at first known as the boy preacher of western New York. Born in Shendaken, Ulster county, N. Y., in 1805, and re- moving, a few years later, with his parents to Juni- us, Seneca county, he was converted while a mere child, and commenced preaching at the early age of fifteen years. Feeling that " the woe was upon him," he traveled on foot, then on horseback, and later with his two horses and covered carriage, far and near, and delivered his plain and simple message with such unction and power, that the con- version of hundreds and thousands resulted. At one time he was in western New York, a few weeks later in New England, and a few weeks lat- er still, he had returned to New York and had gone to Canada, from whence he returned to make a journey to Ohio, or another one to New England. For those days of slow locomotion, he was well- nigh as omnipresent as a mortal could be. Though his early educational advantages were small, he was a very diligent student, reading and writing as he traveled from place to place ; and, possessing the devotion of a monk and the activity of a Jesuit, his power for good was immense. It was not simply 30 Centennial Record, as a revivalist that he was pre-eminently influential, but also in nearly all the important movements for which this period of denominational history is dis- tinguished. He was, among other things, an un- compromising foe of Free Masonry, and following his leadership, the General Conference, several times, expressed itself adverse to that institution. Ministers in all parts of the denomination were in- spired by his presence and example : and the work of the Lord was pushed forward, and the borders of Zion were enlarged. This period, especially the last half of it, was not- ed for revivals. The year 1840, and those which immediately followed it, surpassed, in this particu- lar, anything which had been previously witnessed in the American churches of all denominations. It seemed that the kingdom of God had really, and even literally, come ; and there was a pressing into it; but such was the nature of some of the influenc- es which operated, that it was not strange that there was a subsequent reaction. In addition to the causes of numerical increase already indicated, there was considerable gain from organic accessions. The first of these to receive attention were those in Rhode Island. They were individual churches and ministers, and were mostly of the spiritual progeny, of which Roger Williams was the sire. Foremost among them in character was the church in Olneyville with its pastor, Mar- tin Cheney. Organized in 1828 as a Baptist church and remaining independent until 1830, it ^■^Cfl,.~.^._,^^>«^'' /)/// C^.^c'^^-' l^-e^'^-'i^-*^- i The Free-will Baptists. 31 then united with the denomination and has, ever since, occupied a leading position. The pastor, ardent, strong and influential, was a leader in all moral and spiritual reforms. He did a grateful and abiding work. The Roger Williams church fol- lowed in 1837. It was originally Six Principle Baptist in name, and soon became large and strong. There were others which came in due time ; and, to-day, of the twenty-five churches, of which the Rhode Island Association is com- posed, nine were not organized as Freewill Baptist. The second of these accessions was that of the Free Communion Baptists of New York who unit- ed with the Freewill Baptists as a body in 1841. Their membership was a little more than two thou- sand and five hundred, embraced in fifty-five churches. This people had an interesting his- tory. Previous to 1783 emigrants from a church in Westerly, R. I., connected with the somewhat celebrated " Groton Union Conference," which was composed largely, if not wholly, of churches which sprung up as the result of the labors of Whitefield, settled in Stephentown, Rensselaer county, N. Y. They carried with them their ideas of religious doc- trine and polity, and soon organized a church, of which Benajah Corpe was the first pastor. He was a good man, and lived many years to bless the cause of the Redeemer. In the course of time, members of this first church removed to towns and villages farther west, and, through their instrumentality oth- er churches were formed. In their journeys, David 32 Centennial Record. Marks and others visited these churches. It beingf discovered that their doctrinal views and usages were almost identical with those of the Freewill Baptists, and that the type of Christian life devel- oped was not dissimilar, mutual efforts for union were made with successful and happy results. One of the conditions of the union was that they should be permitted to call themselves Free Bap- tists or Freewill., as they might prefer. William Hunt, Jeremiah Phillips and Levi G. Gardner were among the leading ministers. In this connection, it is due to mention that there existed in North Car- olina quite a body of Baptists who were in fellow- ship with the denomination, and with whom Elias Hutchins labored for a period ; but for a cause which will herein appear, the fellowship existing was severed, and in 1845, they were not numerical- ly reckoned with the denomination. In fact, though they took the name of Freewill Baptists, they never united with the General Conference. As already intimated, this period was distin- guished for a growth of another character. The story of the origin and history of the " Book Con- cern," now the Printing Establishment, of the Mis- sion and Education Societies, of the anti-slavery and temperance positions and records of the denomina- tion, and how the Sunday-school has been used as an instrumentality of the church, together with the rise and work of literary institutions, is told, in all its details, in the later pages of this volume. These enterprises were, as a whole, beyond meas- The Freewill Baptists. 33 ure beneficent, and they were never more so than to-day. While every one of them has been object- ively useful, their reflex influence has been con- spicuous and powerful. Through them, knowl- edge has been disseminated ; the means of culture have been provided; the breadth of vision has been widened, the sense of fellowship strengthened ; channels of benevolence have been afforded ; the borders of the Redeemer's kingdom have been ex- tended ; Christian workers, and even heroes, have been developed ; the tempted have been rescued ; and the chains of the oppressed have been broken. Without them the denomination would have but lit- tle or no special work in the present, and there would be no imperative call for its existence in the future, for the causes which made its existence neces- sary have long since ceased to be largely operative. Nay, more, the wide-spreading and the fruit-bear- ing branches are the glory of the trunk which sus- tains them. It matters but little, as things are now seen, that the decided anti-slavery position taken prevented the extension of the denomination south of Mason and Dixon's line and caused fellowships which had previously existed to be broken, hinder- ing also its growth and development at the North ; or that the Educational movement led to serious dis- ruptions in localities where its doctrines were early preached. There is a wealth in the consciousness of rectitude and in the achievement of truth which far outweighs the value of mere numbers. As the record is reviewed, it is quite impossible to magnify 34 Centennial Record. too largely the service of Marks, the bold inspirer, that of Burr, the faithful conservator, that of Che- ney, the wise seer, that of Qiiinby, the industrious educator and that of Phillips, the heroic foreign la- borer. It is no wonder that those of this genera- tion find it in their hearts to call them blessed, nay, thrice blessed ! In these years, there was going forward a work, in a measure silent and unseen, which has told im- mensely upon the denomination in the line of its consolidation and efficiency. The early ministry was to a great extent itinerant. The pastoral rela- tion was loosely defined. There were times when ministerial support, much inveighed against, was sadly neglected. The first half century had well- nigh passed before there was a single minister who received a stated salary and such as enabled him to devote his entire time to the work. Arthur Caver- no has the distinction of being the first who was thus favored. The transforming power of the years from 1830 to 1845, in effecting a reform in ministerial support and producing definiteness in the pastoral relation, was immense ; and yet there is a sense in which they only laid the foundation and left it for later years to add the superstructure. In these years also, there were noble and heroic conflicts for advancement in good ways and noble work. The record of many of them, finding no earthly recorder, will be found writteh in God's book of remembrance. As among the first fruits of the new order of things which was being instituted, The Free-will Baptists. 3^ there were given to the denomination men of liber- al culture and large endowments who have occu- pied, and even still occupy, leading positions as pastors and educators. As thej^ pass away, for they all soon must, the monuments of their labors tower more grandly. TRIAL AND TRANSITION 1845-1860. The higher the tide rises at its flood, the greater must be its ebb. During a series of years follow- ing the great revival which culminated previous to 1845, there were but few revivals and the acces- sions to the churches were small. In addition to this fact, there were serious dissensions. An ele- ment in this great revival period was Millerism, or Second Adventism. In 1833, William Miller, who was a native of Massachusetts, but who spent much of his active life in New York, began to announce the speedy second coming of Christ. He was a man without the advantages of liberal culture and was a Baptist in his affiliations. He had given much attention to the study of the prophecies in reference to the subject in question, and by a kind of reasoning and computation, he concluded that the world would end on the 15th of February, 1843. He traveled extensively and lectured, using charts and illustrations. His apparent candor and the methods adopted found favor with many, especially those who loved the doctrine of the second coming of Christ and were not prepared to expose the fal- lacy of the arguments presented. As the set day approached, the interest intensified; and while 36 Centennial Record. many embraced the theories of Miller, others did not oppose them lest, perchance, they should be 'found opposing the truth. Never, indeed, in Free- will Baptist history was the necessity of a thorough- ly trained and indoctrinated ministry more appar- ent. The distinctions between pre-millenarianism and post-millenarianism, as they are now manifest, were little understood. Miller and many of his co-laborers were welcomed by Freewill Baptist churches as well as those of other denominations ; and both ministers and la3^men embraced the doc- trines preached. Revival efforts were carried on by all in common. When, however, the time set failed and another was designated and failed like- wise, and the Adventists began to proclaim against the churches, and, some of them, to preach the grossest materialism as embodied in the doctrines of the sleep of the dead and the annihilation of the wicked, a separation took place; and many of the Freewill Baptist churches in New England and New York, especially, some of which were strong, were dismembered and became weak. Poisonous influences were imparted which a generation has not fully outgrown. There were also dissensions of another character. The position taken b}'^ the denomination in refer- ence to the education of the ministry, some of the moral reforms and some of the methods employed, caused the cry to be raised that there had been a departure from the spirit of the fathers and some of the principles advocated by them. The opposition The Freewill Baptists. 37 took embodiment under two different leaderships. The first of these was that by Eld. Jeremiah Bul- lock who had been a Freewill Baptist minister of respectable standing, and whose field of operations was largely in York county, ^[aine. The second was by Dr. James M. Buzzell, a son of Eld. John Buzzell, and Eld. Samuel Hutchins, of Belgrade or New Portland, Me. The Bullock movement was earlier in point of time and more local in character : and, if possible, narrower in spirit. It is currentl} reported that it was in opposition to Sunday- schools, temperance, missions and all reforms and improvements. It was a kind of Freewill Baptist anti-nomianism, and must of necessity, as it did, pass away in a single generation. The Buzzell movement had the advantage of a stronger leader- ship and possibly that of a stronger case. Those engaged in it claimed to occupy the position origi- nally occupied by the denomination, while they averred that the majority of the body had departed from it. It was alleged that the departure was manifest in a variety of ways, but chiefly in these :* — I. The introduction of written covenants into the churches at their organization or subsequently ; 2. The toleration of written sermons; 3. The es- tablishment of the Biblical school, as it was then called. The allegations were bravely and ably met through the columns of "The Morning Star" and in public discussions. Rev. A. K. Moulton, a * For these points the writer is indebted to Rev, D. Waterman. 38 Centenfiial Record. man of marked argumentative ability, and who wielded a read}'^ pen, was then pastor of the Casco St. church in Portland, Me., and occupied a lead- ing position in sustaining the integrity of the de- nomination, in which he was nobly sustained by other men old and young, many of whom are now living. The dissenters had an organ of respecta- ble character, and with considerable circulation, in "The Maine Freewill Baptist Repository." A sep- arate organization was formed wliich contained ministers and churches by scores, and communi- cants by thousands. There were many in Maine and New Hampshire, especially, who sympathized with the movement, but who were not formally con- nected with it. It has now ceased to have special moral force. In accounting for its existence, it has been whispered, and perhaps not without reason, that the sympathizers with a conspicuous leader of three or four decades, but who had now grown old, in the presence of the inevitable law that new wine must be put in new bottles, and that new measures demand new men, though men old in years are often young in spirit, labored to make old wine answer the needed purpose and to cause the hand on time's dial which ever moves forward to turn backward. All these schismatic movements were forcibly felt in impeding the work of the denomination, and es- pecially in the diminution of its numbers. In 1848, the sixty thousand members of 1845 had fallen to fif- ty-two thousand, and still the work of disintegration went on, so that in 1857 there were less than forty- The Frcezuill Baptists. 39 nine thousand. For a long period the spiritual heavens were dark, and faith was severely tested ; but what was true in this particular, of Freewill Baptist churches, was also true of American churches of all denominations. But though the night be dark, the morning Com- eth. In all those years, faithful w^ork was done, and firm foundations were laid. This was especial- ly so through Educational and Home Missionary efforts. Parsonsfield seminary, in Maine, Straf- ford academy, in New Hampshire, and Smithville seminary, subsequently Lapham institute, in Rhode Island, had been established and were doing effi- cient service. The foundations of the Whitestown seminary, in New York, had been laid; and now there came into being Hillsdale college, in Michi- gan, New Hampton institution, in New Hampshire, under Freewill Baptist auspices, and Maine State seminary which has grown into Bates college. The Biblical School which had been endowed and located at Whitestown was removed to New Hamp- ton. In these various schools there w^ere being ed- ucated many of the most efficient ministers and members of to-day. In them not a few consecrated their all to the Lord Jesus. Well did the workers of those days heed the injunction, — "In the morn- ing sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand." In the early days, the strong churches of the de- nomination, and almost the only ones, were in the country. In fact, at the time of the organization 46 Centennial Record. ©f the Home Mission Society in 1834, there was 'not a single Freewill Baptist church in a place which was then a city ; and there were not more than half a dozen in places which have since be- come cities. Since then, and, to no small extent, as the result of the work of this Society, a great change has taken place. In New England, Lew- iston, Dover and Providence have become centers 'of Freewill Baptist influence, and there are strong 'Churches in such cities as Augusta, Portland, Saco and Bifldeford, in jNIaine ; Concord and Manchester, in New Hampshire, and Lowell, Lawrence and Haverhill, Mass. It was during the period, under consideration, that some of the best work which has given the denomination these city churches was put forth. The borders of the denomination were also extended in the distant West ; and churches were planted in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, where faithful and God-fearing men labored. The rviveal of 1857 and '58, following a season of se- vere financial depression, was an occasion of great refreshing to American Christians, and the Free- will Baptists enjoyed its blessings in common with others. The churches were strengthened, and the numbers were increased. In two years subsequent to this revival, the denomination increased about nine thousand, so that in i860, it stood numerically about as in 1845. "^^^^ basis, however, was far more substantial. This oudine of history would be imperfect, should not attention be called in it to certain chang- The Freewill Baptists. 41 es which have gradually taken place in forms of worship, methods employed and kindred matters. This can be done nowhere more appropriately than in connection with a period in which some of them were forcibly resisted. During the first half century, and far into the second half, the preacher conducting the public service almost always allowed the brethren and sisters to improve their gifts. Not to do this would have been considered a great infringement upon " liberty." Now to do it, would be, in most of the churches, especially in the serv- ices of the Sabbath, and in the cities and larger vil- lages, regarded a great breach of propriety. Once responses were common and earnest in the public services, but now they are usually few and faint. In former days, the preacher quite invariably knelt in the pulpit, in leading the devotions, but in the more recent ones he more commonly stands. The devout among the people in time of prayer knelt in the pews, but the same class content themselves with simply bowing the head. In the service of song in olden times, and in many lo- calities, the use of an instrument was considered an abomination, but those times have long since passed. It was the hostile position of the Six Prin- ciple Baptists in reference to such use which gave the Freewill Baptists the Roger Williams church in Providence. Once great plainness in dress was practiced, but now there is a disposition to adopt that mean between extremes which will escape special observation. Some marked changes have 42 Centennial Rcco7d. also taken place in reference to the sermon. It is, as a rule, shorter than formerly, and if it was ever common for the preacher to enter the pulpit with- out premeditation, it would now be nowhere toler- ated. Until within twenty-five years, no written sermons, and scarcely brief notes, were allowed, and the annoyances which have grown out of this attitude have been vexatious. It now seems quite generally agreed that the workman be permitted to employ the kind of tools to which he is best adapted ; and it is questionable whether the use of full manu- scripts is on the increase. All these changes, in which there is now a cheerful acquiescence, indi- cate the growth of Christian charity ; and there is in them no violation of the requirements of the gos- pel. Until within the limits of this period, a Free- will Baptist minister was everywhere designated by the title of "Elder," but the title of "Reverend" has been since used, especially in denominational publi- cations. A kind of mannerism of some of the ear- lier ministers manifest in a peculiar intonation of voice appeared no more. CONSTANT PROGRESS — 1860-1880. From i860, two decades complete the century. The period opened with the war for the suppression of the rebellion. During long years the Freewill Baptists had voted and prayed for the slave. They now fought for him. Many homes gave their dear ones as sacrifices upon the altar of their country's good. Fifty-eight Freewill Baptist ministers were The Frecivill Baptists. 43 reported to have entered the Union army, and two hundred and ten sons of ministers. The actual number in each case was probably much larger. These facts tell a significant story. It was with grateful pride that the veteran editor of "The Morning Star," who had been in the thickest of the fight, and was then, as it proved, upon the borders of the grave, reported at the General Conference, held in Lewiston, Me.: — "Since the last Confer- ence, 'The Star' has had the unspeakable joy of announcing the most important event of the nine- teenth century, viz., — the overthrow, and as we hope, in God, the final death of American slavery, for which it had so long and so earnestly labored, and ardently hoped and prayed, but which at times it had almost despaired of living to see. 'It is the Lord's doings and marvelous in our eyes.' To his great name be all the glory given." During the war the denomination suflfered nu- merically, as it was quite natural that it should. Energy expended in one field leaves less to be giv- en to another. From the close of the war, the in- crease commenced again ; and in 1S70, the hitherto maximum number, sixty thousand, was reached. Since that time, the progress in this particular has been constant, so that in 1879, there were reported 775641 members, 1446 churches and 1442 minis- ters. The general cause has moved steadily for- ward. The schools have continued to do a good W'ork, and some of them have been better endowed. Bates college at Lewiston, founded within the pe- 44 Centennial Record. riod, has attained a marvelous growth, and has performed a most gratifying service in sending out those who have entered the ministry and other call- ings. The Theological school has been removed from New Hampton, and has been consolidated with it. The missionary societies have pushed forward and have enlarged their spheres of influ- ence and usefulness. The foreign Society sends more missionaries to India and does a broader work in that dark land. As one of the results of the war, a new door has been opened to the home Society ; and it has entered it, and is winning new trophies. Storer college at Harper's Ferry, and the colored churches in the South are monuments of faithful labor, and they beckon to other noble deeds. "The Morning Star" continues to shine with light undimmed, though it has twice lost its editor by death. The cultivated efficiency of the ministry has increased year by year, and there has been a marked improvement in the material sup- port given to it. All parts of the denomination were never bound together by stronger chords of sympathy, and, though no man is acknowledged supremely as leader, yet a cordial spirit of co-oper- ation is everywhere manifest. The observance of the Centennial Anniversary in 1880 has given the people such an impulse for enlarged work, that the recording of the grand and beneficent results of it will constitute a part of the grateful work of a fu- ture historian. The Frcctuill Baptists. 45 TRIBUTE TO WOMAN. " She hath done what she could." This testimony of the blessed Saviour in behalf of Mary of Beth- any, can, with propriety, be given in behalf of the representative Freewill Baptist women. Randall said of Joanna Oram, his wife : — "I believe she was the gift of God to me ; and that there was never a woman more suitable for the place in which she had to stand." These words spoken with reason and sincerity were significant. This woman has had worthy successors. Said " The Missionary Help- er," one of woman's grand works of to-day, in the July number for 1880, referring to the ap- proaching centennial observances : — " The part which woman has borne so enters into the warp and woof of our denominational existence that it would be difficult to review her work separately and distinctively. That she has been an important element no one will deny ; so whenever the fathers are referred to, we will remember the mothers who have walked side by side with them, and have been the light-bearers in many a dark hour." And herein are important facts disclosed. It has ever been in accordance with the genius of the Freewill Baptists to grant woman enlarged privileges in wor- ship. Freely has she participated in meetings of prayer and praise. She has been in a large major- ity in the membership of the churches, and nobly has she borne burdens in sustaining the cause of the Redeemer. She has been conspicuous as a teacher 46 Centennial Record. and as a writer, especially for the young. So silent and uniform has been her work, that it has been made, only now and then, to stand boldly out, and she has appeared in her individual name. But she has so appeared, and it is fitting that she be placed on record. As early as 1787, a branch of the church in New Castle, N. H., reported by letter for the first time over the signature of Abigail Amerzeen. A branch of the church in Lewiston, Me., was more than once reported by Eliza Grafham, who became Mrs. Thorn, the mother of Rev. Benjamin Thorn. This woman, several times, walked from Lewiston to Westport, a distance of thirty miles, to attend Quarterly and Yearly Meetings. Sally Parsons, of Westport, Me:, and a sister of Jotham Parsons, was compelled by her father to choose between her home and her Saviour. She bravely chose the lat- ter, and in this course the Lord sustained her. It is stated that the mother of the late Rev. Ebenezer Knowlton carried him, when a babe, in her arms, as she rode on horseback from her old home in Pittsfield, N. H., to what was later her new one in Montville, Me., a distance of nearly one hundred and fifty miles. The wives of Herman Jenkins, of western New York, and Clement Phinney, of Maine, endured great privations and exhibited great heroism in the absence of their husbands from home, while engaged in revival efforts. These are representative incidents illustrative of great love for the cause of God, strength of character and The Freewill Baptists. 47 noble endurance. In these particulars the half has not been told, nor can it be. There have been everywhere, and all along the century, silent, effi- cient and God-fearing mothers in our Israel. The first woman in the denomination who took the position of a gospel laborer was Mary Savage, of Woolwich, Me. She commenced her work in 1791, and success attended her. From 1816, and until her marriage in 1822, Clarissa H. Danforth acquired distinction in the same field. She was a native of Vermont, but labored extensively else- where, and particularly in Rhode Island. She was graceful in manner and forcible in utterance. A little later, Susan Humes, of the last-named State, became a preacher and gave promise of great use- fulness, but her work was cut short by an early death. Later still, Salome Lincoln Mowry, of the same State, was the wife of a minister, and was herself an acceptable preacher. There is the high- est testimony in behalf of Mrs. Ruby Bixby, the wife of Rev. N. W. Bixby, of Iowa, as a preacher, as well as a prudent and industrious housewife. This pioneer Freewill Baptist woman of the North- west died in Jan., 1877. She was a native of Ver- mont, from which State she went with her hus- band in 1846. In a few instances of recent occur- rence women have been ordained. The denomina- tion, which has declared in favor of woman's suf- frage at its centennial anniversary, has a warm welcome for the woman whose qualifications for or- dination are that she has such piety, ability and 48 Centennial Record. culture that in their presence sex will be forgotten and cynical criticism will stand aghast. The typical pastor's wife of this last period is a woman of sweet and devoted piety, of cultured tastes and yet enduring many privations, whose health labors and anxieties may have impaired, wlio has aspirations which would call her abroad, but is content to toil at home and in the church, who makes her husband's success her own, her fortunes being fully bound up in his, and who bears him and his work in her closet to the Throne of Grace. She hopes at last to be pronounced blessed by the Master ; and in this she will not be disappointed. But it is not in the parsonage and in the performance of the old routine duties of the church only, that she finds a sphere for action. She and those whom she can enlist with her, and they are many, engage in that noble service whose watchword is, "Woman's work for woman," and thus she goes forth into " the green pastures and beside the still waters ; " and her soul becomes en- larged. More might be said of the women of to- day. It will be the pleasant work of some one, in the not distant future, to recount the labors and delineate the characteristics of one, the chosen companion of two of God's eminent servants, who has spent fifty years in active service for the spread of the gospel, and who still presses forward; and of another whose special right to distinction is, that she has sung for a generation, and has given the denomination the sweetest of its own peculiar The Frcczuill Baptists. 49 songs. The missionary record of woman will be found in its appropriate place. IN MEMORIAM. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." During this closing period of the century, there have gone to receive their reward a succession of good men whose position in the denomination, to- gether with the manner of their departure, has ar- rested special attention. But in connection with the deaths of these men, it is fitting to notice those of three other devoted servants of God which took place during an earlier period. They all consti- tute a few of the eminent dead of the century. David Marks died in Oberlin, Ohio, December I, 1845, aged 40 years. In consequence of exces- sive labors, his health had been declining for sever- al years. His last sickness was painful, but the manner of his death, in patient endurance and ho- ly fortitude, was a fitting close of his brief and in- tense life. For some time he had been a student in Oberlin college, and the attention which he re- ceived from the faculty and other friends residing in Oberlin attested to the power of his personal character and the place which he had won in the esteem of those who belonged to another commun- ion. His funeral sermon was preached by Prof. Finney. A fitting inscription on his tombstone is the words : — " Thousands bezuail a hero, and a nation mourn- 50 Centennial Record. eth for its king, biit the -whole universe lamcntcth a man of grayer.'''' Living in an eventful period, his work was large in mavo great and populous heathen countries of Asia, and which would have been otherwise closed— came un- der the government or influence of England, and, notwith- standing all her faults, her strong arm has ever been exerted for the protection of the missionary of the Cross. The hand of God can be traced in the modem missionaiy enterprise, not only as a whole, but also in its details. ORGANIZATION OF THE SOCIETY. Early in the present century the General Baptists of Eng- land, stirred by the account which Dr. Buchanan, the friend of 114 Centennial Record. India, gave of the horrors which he witnessed at the carnival of Juggernaut, at Pooree, organized a missionary society and sent missionaries to Orissa, the portion of India in which Poo- ree is located. Among the early missionaries sent thither were Rev. Messrs. James Peggs and Amos Sutton. Tlirough the mstnunentality of these men, under God, and as the result of correspondence between them and Elder John Buzzell, an acknowledged Freewill Baptist leader of those days, the Free- will Baptists of America became awakened to the condition of the heathen, and determined to aid in the work of giving them light and life. " The Morning Star," in which the let- ters of the English missionaries were published, was an im- portant agency in the accomplishment of the beneficent result. The year 1833 is usually designated as the one in which the Freewill Baptist Foreign Mission Society had its origin. The preliminary organization, however, took place in the au- tumn of 1832. It was effected in the old meeting-house at North Parsonsfield, Me., which stood near the spot where Eld. Buzzell's grave now is. This was during the first term of Parsonsfield Academy, and Hosea Quinby was, with Eld. Buzzell, among the leading actors. The act of incorporation was obtained from the Legislature of Maine in January, 1833, it being approved by Gov. Samuel E. Smith on the 29th day of that month. The first meeting under- this act was held at North Parsonsfield on the ^th day of March, 1833. It was adjourned to March 9th, when a constitution and by-laws were adopted. These have been since revised, and the act of incorporation has been amended. Another meeting was held on the 20th of April and the list of officers was com- pleted. John Buzzell was chosen President and he continued m office until 1846. During the year 1833, Rev. Amos Sutton, one of the mis- sionaries in Orissa, whose name has been mentioned, visited The Foreign ][Iission. 115 America. He \vished to regain his health, which had be- come impaired, and to advance the cause of missions. He traveled extensively and lectured among Freewill Baptists and other denominations. At the New Hampshire Yearly Meeting in 1833, held at Gilford, he eloquently pleaded the cause of heathen India. A collection of $100 was taken, which was considered a marvel for those days. For a period, 1 834-1 835, Mr. Sutton acted as Corresponding Secretary of the Society, of which during the first three years of its exist- ence the receipts were, in the aggregate, $2660. With this sum in its treasury, it decided to send four missionaries to India. Was not this a marked instance of faith ? THE FIRST MISSIONARIES. The first accepted missionary was ordained at the New Hampshire Yearly Meeting, held at Lisbon in June, 1835, ^^ the presence of three thousand people. Dr. Cox, of Eng- land, preached the sermon and Dr. Sutton and Rev. David Marks were among those who took part in the exercises. On the 2 2d of September, 1835, two Freewill Baptist minis- ters and their wives were among a company of twenty mis- sionaries who sailed from Boston in the ship " Louvtc." The event was deeply momentous and produced a profound im- pression. The parting was sad and sorrowful, and yet joy- ous and hopeful. As is well known, the Freewill Baptist mis- sionaries were Eli Noyes, of Jefferson, Me., with his wife, who was Clementine Pierce, of Portsmouth, N. H., and Jeremiah Phillips, of Plainfield, N. Y., with his wife, who was Mrs. Ma- ry E. Bedee, the widow of the then late Samuel Bedee, editor of " The Morning Star." The sudden engagement and mar- riage of this last-named couple partook of the nature of ro- mance. The missionaries were young, Noyes and Phillips were respectively in their 2 2d and 24th years. Though their period of education had been cut short, they had ability and Ii6 Centennial Record. scholarly aspirations. They were devout, earnest and coura- geous. The modern missionary enterprise was in 1835 comparatively new. The strength of the rope sustain- ing one descending into the dark pit of heathenism, and the endurance of the holder, had not been fully tested. The In- dia of that day was practically three or four times more dis- tant than the India of this day. It was also a much darker India. The prospect of its Christianization seemed far more uncertain. In spite of all obstacles these brave souls went unhesitatingly forward. Our missionaries arrived in Calcutta on the 5th of February, 1836. One hundred and thirty-six days were consumed in the passage, which was marked by no special incidents. Some months were spent by them in acquiring the language, during most of which time they sojourned at Cuttack, the leading station of the General Baptists. In due time they de- cided to establish an independent station at Sumbhulpore, a large and populous town in the hill district of Orissa, some two hundred miles from the coast. It is on the river Mahan- ady, and on the post-road from Calcutta to Bombay. Thither our missionaries went in January, 1837, and com- menced their work in the name of the Lord Jesus. But after a single year of sickness, sadness and death, the place was abandoned. All the missionaries were sick ; a child of Mr. and Mrs. Noyes, a child of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, and Mrs. Phillips herself died. This saintly woman left the rich be- quest of a short but consecrated life. The effort made at Sum- bhulpore was not altogether a failure. The children gathered there formed a nucleus of a future mission school, and among them was he, who is the oldest living and, perhaps, the most trusted native preacher, Silas Curtis. From this time there was consigned to our missionaries as their special field of labor, Balasore, the northern district of Orissa, and Midna- pore, a district of Bengal. The Foreign Mission. 117 THE FIELD IN INDIA. India is a broad land. It embraces nearly half as much territory as is contained in these United States of America. It has high mountains, broad plains and great rivers. It is inhabited by not less than two hundred millions of people. Some one referring to this land, has said : " It is one of the brightest the sun ever shone upon. . . . One glimpse from Everest to Cormorin, and the heart cries out : ' If on earth there is Paradise, it is this.' But alas, it is Paradise lost ! For the one, true, triune God is forgotten there." The portion allotted as the Freewill Baptist missionary field is about the size of the state of Massachusetts, and has a population of some three and a half millions, or about that of all New England. It lies upon the western shore of the Bay of Bengal and south- west of Calcutta, its mission stations being from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty miles from it. The coast is level and well-watered. Hills and mountains rise toward the interior. Its fruits and productions are those usual for tropical regions, the banana being, perhaps, the most delicious fruit and rice the most abundant product and staple article of food. Its rivers abound \vith fish suitable for food, as well as with ser- pents and crocodiles. Its domestic animals resemble those found among us, though inferior. Its jungles contain tigers, leopards, bears and buffaloes. Reptiles are numerous and poi- sonous and insects are common. The seasons are hot, wet and cold, and each subserves its purposes. The means of con- veyance are slow and tiresome. The houses are built of brick and mud, most of which have roofs thatched with straw. The people are largely aboriginees and conquerors. Of the for- mer, the Santals are a numerous and representative class. The latter are the Hindoos proper, who are divided into castes which determine station in life and employment, and which are rigidly maintained. They are supposed to have descended from the ii8 Centennial Record. ancient Aryans who conquered India some 1400 years B. C. The Mohammedans, who conquered India at a later peri- od and made converts to their faith, constitute anotlier ele- ment. The dress of the people is oriental. The languages spoken are many, but in our field they are largely Oriya, Ben- gali and Santal. The divinities of India are numbered by hundreds of millions. There is consequently much igno- rance, superstition and false philosophy, including Brahmin- ism, Buddhism, and the like. Penances of the most severe kind, embracing long pilgrimages, hook swinging, and other excruciating tortures abound, though less than formerly. The country has, during long ages, been sinking in degrada- tion, and every form of vice exists. The people, like the Ori- entals, generally hold their traditions, customs and rehgions with a strong tenacity. The task of giving that dark and dead land the light and life of the gospel, and thus regener- ate it seemed, humanly, herculean. But the Freewill Baptist Foreign Mission Society, relying upon the declaration of the Lord Jesus, " All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth," and obeying the command, " Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations," has undertaken a share in the glorious and blessed work. The promise, " Lo, I am with you alway," has attended the workers, and it will attend them until the work is consummated. Early in 1838, our missionaries occupied Balasore as a station. It had been previously occupied by the General Baptists, who now surrendered it to them. The town, the capital of the district of the same name, and located on the great pilgrim road to Pooree, and one hundred and fifty miles from Calcutta, has some fifteen thousand inhabitants. It is only some seven or eight miles from the sea, and, for that country, its climate is salubrious. The foundations of permanent missionary work were laid, and from that begin- ning there has been growth. To this first permanent station The Foreign Mission. 119 five other stations have been added, viz : Jellasore, in 1 840 ; Midnapore, temporarily in 1845 and permanently in 1862 ; San- tipore, in 1865 ; Bhimpore, in 1873, and Dantoon, in 1877. There are also several Christian villages, of which Metrepore, near Balasore, is perhaps the most prominent. A mission church was early organized at Balasore. To this seven other churches have been added, there being one at each station and two at places which are not stations. These tvvo churches take the names of the Palasbani and the Babaigadia, and they are located within the district of Midnapore. They and the church at Dantoon have been organized during the past year. The number of communicants in all these churches is five hundred and twenty-seven. The churches are embraced in what are designated as the Balasore and the Midnapore Quarterly Meetings, which constitute the Bengal and Orissa Yearly Meeting. EARLY CHANGES. There were early changes among the workers. In 1839, Miss Mary Anne Grimsditch, foster daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mack, Scotch missionaries at Serampore, and bom in India, became the second Mrs. Phillips. She was beautiful, accom- phshed, devout and efficient. Early in 1S40, she went with her husband to establish the station at Jellasore, a large bazar surrounded \vith densely populated \dllages and twenty-eight miles northeast of Balasore, and in the district of that name. On the 1 7th of January that year, she gave birth to twin sons, who were named James and John. Upon the former, seven months later, Aug. 16, and as she plunged into the Jordan of death, she pronounced the blessing which seems prophetic, "God bless my darling child," and she could do no more, for she had passed to the other side. She was buried in Midnapore. In 1 841, as the result of impaired health, Mr. and Mrs. Noyes were compelled to return to America. I20 Centennial Record. Here Dr. Noyes did efficient work for the mission and the Master. He died in 1854. In scholarly attainments he ranked among the first Free Baptist ministers of his times. In 1840 the mission received its first reinforcement from America in the persons of Rev. O. R. Bacheler and wife and Miss Hannah C. Cumings. The last named was a member of the Free Baptist church in Lowell, and went as a teacher, but she became the third Mrs. Phillips. She was married in 1 84 1. During all the years since that time her name and labors have been closely identified with those of her husband and in all his struggles. She has rendered her- self in many ways useful to the mission and the cause of God. Dr. Bacheler was a native of HoUiston, Mass., and was, when appointed as a missionary, a member of one of the Free Baptist churches in Boston. He was at that time only 22 years of age. Devout, scholarly and ingenious, the Lord made him for a missionary. He was then, or he has be- come, an adept in several mechanical trades. But the most conspicuous among his attainments was a knowledge of medicine and surgery, and the art of printing. All these things, together with his great enthusiasm, have proved to be pre-eminently serviceable in his work. In 1844 the mission was reinforced by Rev, J. C. Dow and wife, of Maine. In the following year they were sta- tioned at Midnapore, a city of nearly seventy thousand inhab- itants, and the capital of the district of the same name. It had been occupied by the General Baptists, by whom it was abandoned. After laboring some three years under disadvantageous circumstances, Mr. Dow's health compelled him to return to America in 1848. It was permanently oc- cupied by Dr. Bacheler in 1862. It is seventy miles from Calcutta, and is now regarded as the most important station in the mission. The Foreign Mission. 121 THE WORK FOR THE HEATHEN. The work of our missionaries in India has been, first and foremost, that of preaching the glorious gospel. At each • station there has been what is designated chapel preaching on Sunday. A second kind of preaching consists in the promulgation of the gospel message in the bazars, the mar- kets, whither the people of the city and country resort. By means of it, Christian truth is disseminated far and widely, many, like the Ethiopian of old, returning to their friends and telling the good news. The third kind of preaching is " itinerating." By means of it those dwelling in remote re- gions are reached. It is usually confined to the cold sea- son, beginning in November and closing with February. In this work the missionary pitches his tent wherever night overtakes him. In each kind of preaching, native preachers, in the persons of Rama and Mahes, both now dead, and Silas Curtis and others, have been especially useful, and even quite indispensable. Through the itineracy our missionaries early discovered and became interested in the Santals, a hill tribe, who have been mentioned as aborigines. To them much labor has been devoted, and two of the stations, Santi- pore and Bhimpore, have been established more especially for their benefit. Though deeply sunken in degradation they evince a comparative readiness to receive the Word of life. Rev. Jeremiah Phillips was pre-eminently an apostle to this people. Among other things, he reduced their spok- en language to a written one, devoting much time and strength to the work ; gave them portions of the Word of God and books for elementary instruction. For the service rendered in their behalf he received the thanks of the Brit- ish government, when he left India to return no more. This was a rare compliment and well deserved. More, doubtless, would have been done for this people had not two 122 Centennial Record. of the young and promising converts from among them, Elias Hutchins and Daniel P. Cilley, died at an early day, and when they were just entering upon careers of useful- ness. Our missionaries have taught as well as preached. The school, bearing names appropriate to the special work which it was designed to accomplish, such as boarding, day or bazar, training, orphanage, Santal and ragged, together with the Sunday-school, has been very generally em- ployed. What was known as the school for the Khond chil- dren, victims rescued from human sacrifice by the British government, was sustained at Balasore from 1848 to i860, and its work constitutes an interesting phase of the mis- sion. The girls' orphanage, sustained at Jellasore since 1861, is a marked feature of the mission; and another is the many Santal schools scattered through the jungles, with native teachers trained by our missionaries. Until a comparatively recent period, the labors of our mission- aries in India, as well as those of others, among women were confined very largely, if not wholly, to those of the lower castes, or to those of no caste. Less than twenty years ago the zenanas, the abodes of eighty millions of high-caste women in the province of Bengal alone, were first penetrat- ed by a lady missionary in Calcutta. In 1865 the same work was undertaken by two of our own lady missionaries in Midnapore. From this beginning the work of zenana teach- ing has been carried forward at INIidnapore and Balasore, largely by the aid of native assistants, and it constitutes one of the most important elements in our missionary operations. This branch of service, let it be remembered, belongs ex- clusively to woman, for she alone can enter the zenana, from which man is debarred. What are distinctively known as the ragged schools, designed for the poor, have been insti- tuted only during the last two years, and they are full of The Foreign Alission. 123 promise. The Bible School, with which the work of teach- ing is now crowned, was opened in Midnapore in May, 1879, with twenty-one students. It has been a long-felt necessity, and it will do much for the future of the mission. During the early years of Dr. Bacheler's connection with the mission, he established at Balasore the Dispensary. The gratuitous bestowal of medicine and medical advice has brought relief to many a sufferer, and prepared the way for his sin-sick soul to receive gospel truth. Dr. Bacheler also taught a medical class composed of native young men, and published a small work for the benefit of the natives, known as the " Medical Guide." In Dr. Bacheler's absence in this country the Dispensary was continued by some of the students whom he had taught. Some of these students also were useful in the asylum at Jellasore, which Mr. Phillips founded for the benefit of sick and suffering pilgrims. Dur- ing some twenty years about two thousand patients annually, on an average, received aid from the Dispensary at Balasore. In 1862, it was removed to Midnapore, where it is still continued, and is doing its blessed work, widening in ex- tent and influence. In the same year, which was that of Dr. Bacheler's return to India, after an absence in America, a small press was established at Midnapore. It has since been enlarged. This new and highly useful department of work for the benefit of India continues to be carried for- ward and has been successful. By means of it much truth has been disseminated. THE FOREIGN WORKERS. While the work goes on, the workers change. In August, 1844, the mission was again visited by death. Mrs. C. E. Bacheler, a woman of sweet piety and earnest devotion to the cause, was its victim. She left two children. Dr. Bach- eler was subsequently married to Miss Sarah P. Merrill, of 124 Ccnlcnni'al Record. Stratham, N. H., who joined the mission in 1846, and who has during all the years since that time been a devoted mis- sionary as well as wife and mother. Rev. Ruel Cooley and wife, of western New York, joined the mission in 1850, they having sailed during the previous year. They were stationed at first at Jellasore and afterwards at Balasore. They gave to the cause twelve years of devoted labor, and returned to this country in 1861. Since that tmie they have served some of the churches at the West. In October, 1850, Miss Lavina Crawford, of Villanovia, N. Y., sailed for India. For eight years she, with Mrs. Cooley and others, had charge of the school composed of the Khond children at Balasore. She has spent some two years in America, re- turning to her loved work in India in 1861. Since that time she has had charge of the girls' orphanage at Jellasore, and has performed the duties of the station with marked ability and fidelity. Too much can not be said in praise of this devoted missionary. Though the Board sent her, a lone woman, to the foreign field with reluctance, as it did Miss Cumings, ten years before, such has been the manner in which she has acquitted herself, and so has she honored her sex, that no name on our mission roll deserves to be written higher than hers. In 1S52, Rev, Benjamin Burleigh Smith and wife, of New Hampshire, became connected with the mission, and were stationed at Balasore. They returned to America in 1862. In 1869 they went again to India and were there until the death of Mr. Smith, 1872. Mrs. Smith remained bravely at her post until her return to America in 1877. The record of Mr. Smith was useful and honorable. He was industrious, faithful and conscientious. He toiled amid great physical suffering. His grave is in Balasore, close by the chapel where he loved to preach. In 1852 the health of Dr. Bacheler and wife rendered it necessary that they should return to America, where they ar- The Forciorn Mission. 12 = 'i> rived in July. In addition to their own family they brought with them James and John Phillips, who were then twelve years old. They were placed in the school at Whitestown. Dr. Bacheler remained in America ten years. During this period he wrote, published and lectured. For a time he acted as Corresponding Secretary of the Foreign Mission Society. His services were of untold value. He did much to disseminate a knowledge of the mission and its work among the home churches. In 1862 he returned to India, though he left his family to follow him three years later. He believed that the interests of the mission demanded such a sacrifice. This is but a single though representative inci- dent in the life of this missionary hero. The devotion of Dr. Bacheler, however, is fully rivaled by that of his life- long co-laborer, Dr. Jeremiah PhiUips. In 1854 this man had been in India eighteen years. He was entitled to re- turn to the land of his birth, and the Mission Board was wil- ling that he should do so. But the wants of the mission, and the love which he bore to it, impelled him to remain in India, while he sent his wife and children home. His im- paired health, however, compelled him to follow them a year later. He remained in America nine years. In his long sojourn here the hand of God was plainly visible. During this period he exerted a beneficent influence on the home churches, and he was enabled to return to his chosen work with restored health and increased vigor. But what was by no means least, the personal parental training which he was enabled to give in a western prairie home was just the thing needed to aid in qualifying six of his eleven surviv- ing children to carry forward the work which the father had undertaken. That was a memorable day in December, 1864, when the ship Elcano sailed out of Boston harbor with five missionaries on board, viz. : Rev. Jeremiah Phillips and wife. Rev. James L. Phillips and his wife, who was Miss 126 Centennial Record. Mary R. Sayles, of Pascoag, R. I., and Miss Julia E. Phillips, now Mrs. Burkholder. Ida Orissa, the )'oungest daughter of the senior missionary, was also one of the party. To the elder Phillips there has been given the privilege of adding fourteen years to his record of valuable service. The sta- tions at Santipore and Dantoon were established by him during this period. It was only last year that he returned to his native America to die. Crowned with honors, and his name untarnished by a single stain, his last days, of extreme physical suffering, were filled with bright and joyous antici- pations. His wife, who had been for nearly forty years the partner of his labors, and his children, still in America, at- tended him. Relying for salvation not upon what he had done, the language of his heart was, as he passed to the un- seen world : " My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness." The mission was reinforced by Rev. E. C. B. Hallam and wife in 1856 ; and by Rev. Arthur Miller and wife in 1859. These missionaries were from Canada West. They had zeal, ability and other qualifications for their work. The first Mrs. Hallam died on a return passage to America, and a second Mrs. Hallam went to India with her husband on his return thither in 1866. Mr. Hallam terminated his connection with our mission in 187 1, and he has since la- bored in another mission field. Mr. Miller fell a victim to excessive labors during the severe famine which visited In- dia in 1866. After great suffering, he finished his work in 1868, at the early age of 39 years. Dr. and Mrs. Bacheler spent a short but needed vacation period in America, arriving here in 1870. When they re- turned in 1873, there went with them Rev. A. J. Marshall and his wife, Mrs. Emily Phillips Marshall, and Miss S. Lib- The Foreign Mission. 127 bie Cilley, all of Michigan. In 1874, Rev. R. D. Frost, of Iowa, joined the mission, and later in the same year Mr. Richard M. Lawrence, of Wisconsin, and Misses Mary E. French, of Massachusetts, and Susan R. Libby, of New Hampshire. In consequence of ill health Mr. Frost and Misses Cilley and French have returned to America. Miss Libby was married to an English civil engineer, and has since died. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall are stationed at Bala- sore, and Mr. Lawrence has charge of the press at Midna- pore. All are doing efficient work. Miss Ida O. Phillips joined the mission in 1877, and is stationed at Balasore. After ten full years of service in India, and in May, 1875, the younger Dr.' Phillips, his wife, and his sister Julia re- turned for a needed vacation in America. The labors of these missionaries had been of great value. Among other things, the ladies had commenced the zenana work in Mid- napore, and had largely carried it forward. The pre-emi- nent ability of Dr. Phillips, his superior scholarship, his val- uable medical knowledge, his fervid eloquence, his young and vigorous manhood, together with his marked power of personal character are prominent qualifications for his work and they render him efficient in it. During the sojourn of these missionaries in America, embracing a period of nearly three years and a half, they were exceedingly active. The missionary spirit in the churches was greatly revived, and new plans were devised. The raising of $25,000 for the endowment of the Bible School was under- taken by Dr. Phillips, and was successfully accomplished. These missionaries left again for India, Oct. 5th, 1878. There accompanied them, Rev, Thomas W. Burkholder, of Harrisburg, Pa. ; Miss Hattie P. Phillips, of Chicago ; Miss Jessie B. Hooper, of New Brunswick, and Miss Frankie Mil- lard, of Michigan, who soon became Mrs. Lawrence ; also, four children of Dr. and Mrs. Phillips. This was the largest 128 Centennial Record. company ever sent by our Society to India at one time. Rev. Milo J. Coldren, of Michigan, also sailed for India in October last, and arrived in January. This Society has had in all thirty-eight missionaries. Of these ten are known to have died. Fifteen, including five men and their wives, four single women and one single man, are now in actual service in India. For the praise of the men, and to hold them up as an example to others, it may be said that for a period of forty years, Jeremiah Phillips and Otis R. Bacheler have never stood before the Free Bap- tist denomination as opponents, or even rivals, but always as co-laborers and friends. Fortunate has been the Socie'y to have such servants, and honored has been the denomination to have such representatives. In the generations to come they will for their devotion, service, sacrifice and characters, tower in even grander proportions then we see them to-day. THE HOME FIELD AND WORKERS. We will now turn to the consideration of the work and the workers in the home field. The interest in the mission- ary cause, from year to year, has been indicated very large- ly by the receipts of the treasurer. During a period of forty- seven years, these have been in the aggregate, about ^327,000, making a yearly average of nearly ^7,000. These figures do not include the Bible-school fund and the contri- butions of benevolent and well-disposed persons in India, which have amounted to a large sum in the aggregate. During the first decade of the existence of the Society, the receipts were in the aggregate and in round numbers $19,340, or less than ^2,000 per year. The largest yearly re- ceipts were $3,556 in 1842. For the second decade they were $37,299, or a little more than $3,700 per year. The largest were $5,619 in 1848. For the third decade, they were $50,996, or a little more than $5,000 per year. The The Foreign Mission, 129 largest were $7,602 in 1856. For the fourth decade they were $113,698, or more than Si 1,000 per year, and more than double the amount of the preceding decade. The largest were $15,667 in 1866. During seven years of the present decade they have been $106,314, or more than $15,000 per year. The largest have been $19,914 in 1879, which are more than they were during the whole of the first decade. These figures are eloquent, and abound in encour- agement. They declare very emphatically that the churches are making steady progress, and purpose the ultimate Chris- tianization of India. The borders of the home field have been enlarged, and it has been, from year to year, subjected to a more thorough cultivation. The number of churches contributing for for- eign missions has constantly increased. For the year end- ing in October, 1879, i^ reached six hundred and twenty-six. During the long vacation of Dr. Bacheler in this country, he visited the Free Christian Baptists of New Brunswick and planted the seed of missionary interest among that people. In 1864, Dr. James L. Phillips visited them. They then formed a Foreign Mission Society which adopted him as its missionary, and pledged his salary in India, and it paid it un- til his return thither in 1878. The ladies of New Brunswick sustain Miss Hooper in India. In 1868 the Free Christian Baptists of Nova Scotia formed a Foreign Mission Society which adopted Miss Julia E. Phillips as its missionary, and it has contributed towards her salary. Sums of money have been, from time to time, contributed for her benefit through the. instrumentality of Mrs. P. L. Upham, of New York, the widow of the late Prof. Thomas C. Upham of blessed mem- ory. This excellent woman, though a member of another communion, has been a warm friend of our cause in India. The treasury of this Society has been pre-eminently the Lord's, and contributions to it have, as a rule, been attend- 130 Centennial Record. ed with prayers, tears and sacrifices. There have been many widows' mites. Some rich men, also, have contribut- ed of their abundance. In a town on the opposite shore of this beautiful lake Uves an old man whom God has greatly blessed with worldly goods. It must be said to his praise that he has been a regular and special giver during a long series of years. He was among the largest individual do- nors of the Bible-school fund. When the contributors of the ^327,000 of the aggregate receipts of this Society shall be written, the name of Adam Brown* will stand high upon the list. There are doubtless many of whom he is a fitting representative. The home field has also been enlarged and better cultivat- ed through the special efforts of woman, who has doubtless given more in the aggregate than her brother. What was known as the Freewill Baptist Female Mission Society was organized in October, 1847. For more than twenty years it continued in active operation. There were in it noble workers, and it did efficient work in diffusing missionary in- teUigence and in raising funds. The record of its noble deeds will be found v^Titten on high. It was the fitting forerunner of the Woman's Missionary Society of to-day. The penetration of the walls of the zenanas of India was the signal of a new departure in missionary work. There was a movement all along the line. The women in every evan- gelical denomination in America felt it. " Woman's work for woman," the Christian women in America for their benighted sisters in India, was the watch-word, and many responded to it. The Free Baptist women heard the cry and mar- shalled for duty. The Woman's Society was organized in June, 1873. Among its foundation principles are loyalty to, and co-operation with, this Society, and after all obligations *Mr. Brown died Nov. 25, 1880, aged 87 years. The Foreign Mission. 131 to it have been met, that its members shall pay into its own treasury such sums, two cents per week or more, as they c an spare. It seeks to enlist the children in its work. The plan has met with approval, and success has attended the ef- forts made. This Society sent Miss Susan Libby to India in 1874, Miss Ida Phillips in 1877 and Miss Hattie PhiUips in 1878, the last being the work of the women in Rhode Island, who stand in the foreground of this movement. This Society also pays zenana teachers in India, and helps sustain the ragged schools which Mrs. Phillips has recently instituted. It also contributes towards the work at Harper's Ferry, and Myrtle Hall at that place stands as one of its monuments. It thus embraces in its work home missions as well as foreign. Under its auspices the Missionary Helper, a bi-monthly magazine, was issued from Providence, R. I., in January, 1878, and it has constantly grown in power and influence. It is now a recognized force in every depart- ment of the mission work in the home field. This Society does not know what it is to have a depleted treasury. May God speed it on in the true way, and make it more and more efficient ! And what of the workers ? Though they have been many, we can mention by name but few. The Board, or the Ex- ecutive Committee of the Society, has had its work directly in charge, and its authority should always and everywhere be recognized and respected. The chief responsibilities have come upon the Corresponding Secretary and the Treasurer. The latter office has been held by only five persons, viz. : Isaac N. Sanborn, Wm. Burr, Charles O. Libby, Nahum Brooks and the present incumbent, Silas Curtis. The sec- ond Treasurer, Wm. Burr, held the office from 1837 to 1866, or until his death, a period of twenty-nine years. The du- ties of the office were performed by him gratuitously, and in connection with numerous others ; also with the ability and 132 Centennial Record. fidelity for which that good man's name has long been a synonym. He retained the treasuryship of this Society even after he had relinquished that of each of the other benevo- lent societies. This Society has had nine Corresponding Secretaries, viz. : Samuel Burbank, Amos Sutton, Daniel P. Cilley, Enoch Mack, Elias Hutchins, Otis R. Bacheler, Charles O. Libby, James L. Phillips, and the present in- cumbent, Charles S. Perkins. Its fifth Corresponding Sec- retary, Elias Hutchins, held the office from 1841 to 1859, or until his death, a period of eighteen years. He per- formed the duties of the office for the most part gratuitously and with a conspicuous devotion and ability. They were only one department of the work which this good man did for the Lord Jesus. Standing between the churches and the ministers of the denomination on the one hand and the mis- sionaries in India on the other, he was loved and trusted by all. His reports were models of excellence. The third Treasurer and the seventh Corresponding Secretary were combined in one man, Charles O. Libby. He held the last-named office fourteen years and the first-named ten years, resigning both in 1876. He devoted his entire time to the work for ten years, and received a salary, as he should have done. He labored hard, bore heavy burdens and achieved success. Through his efforts the receipts of the Society were greatly increased. Among those who have been members of the Executive Committee, these deserve recognition : Ebenezer Knowlton, Theodore Stevens, Na- hum Brooks, Daniel' M. Graham and George W. Bean. Some of them, together with its President and some of the other members of the Board, as now constituted, have stood by the fortunes of the Society during a long series of years. We must add one more to these foreign missionary workers in the home field. It is she that during all the years of the existence of this Society, for she witnessed the departure ^^'-CtJi^ (^^-^^-t^^^^^Z^-i^l,^^ The Foreign Mission. 133 of the first missionaries, has not grown old in spirit in labor- ing for the cause, whose faith has not faltered, whose fires of zeal have not dimmed and who has been the inspirer of many. Long may this mother in Israel live to bless the cause of Christian missions. CONCLUSION. Fathers and brethren, the story is completed. The chap- ter is a grand one. The history of the denomination does not furnish a grander. While too many have had their at- tention exclusively occupied with interests at home, this work has gone forward abroad. Truly God has worked a work in our day for heathen India. Though it has pro- gressed slowly, it has been immense. The dying Phillips said, " India is sure for Christ. I have no doubt of it. The progress of the gospel is already greater than most of us know." These words declare a fact confirmed by abun- dant proof, and they inspire faith. Though the work in In- dia has cost money, it has returned blessings which money can not purchase. It has afforded noble examples of Chris- tian heroism ; it has given the consciousness of obeying the great commission ; it has stimulated the spirit of complete consecration ; it has begotten unfaltering faith ; it has im- parted a broadened vision; and it has produced a sense of fellowship with all for whom Christ died. If, by the comparatively few, and as the result of the small interest which has been manifest, so much has been done, what may we not expect will be done, when all shall become thorough- ly awakened? From tnis time forth, let "India for Christ," be the watch-word. In the future day, we shall stand by the side of our Hindoo brothers, saved by the common Saviour, regenerated by the only Holy Spirit, serving one 134 Centennial Record. Father and claiming the same heaven for our eternal home. The stewards of God, let us be faithful to our trust, and long before the second century of our denominational exist- ence shall be completed, there will be no longer heathen India, but that dark though fair land shall have been trans- formed into Christian India, and shall have become a re- stored earthly paradise of God. THE HOME MISSION. Wherever the Freewill Baptist cause is strong to-day, in New England or the West, it can be showTi that it began in the evangelistic missionary labors of men who had imbibed the spirit of our founder, and burned with zeal for the salva- tion of sinners. Without that spirit, the denomination could hardly have extended beyond that hill-town of New Durham itself, where Randall formed the first church. It was a reviv- al of that spirit, fifty years later, in the midst of the spuitual depression and weakness that prevailed among the churches, that led to the organization of the Home Mission Society. From all parts of the denomination there were arising ur- gent calls for missionary help, and brethren soon began to feel the need of an organization which should not only aid in developing the missionary spirit, but should serve as a me- dium through which its gifts might be applied where the need was most pressing. Accordingly David Marks, after consult- ing with a few other persons, wrote and inserted the follow- ing notice in "The Morning Star" of July 9, 1834 : "NOTICE. " FREEWILL BAPTIST AMERICAN JHSSIONARY SOCIETY. " A meeting will be held at Dover, N. H., on Thursday, July 31, 1834, at 10 o'clock A. M., for the purpose of organizing a Home Missionary Society. As this is a subject of great im- portance, and the Society is designed for the service of the whole connexion, we hope our brethren in the ministry and oth- ers interested, both in this and other States, will make their ar- rangements so as to meet agreeably to the above appointment." 136 Centennial Record. Oil the appointed day (July 31, 1834), a goodly number of persons assembled in the Freewill Baptist meeting house in Dover, and amid their prayers and tears the Home Mis- sion Society was organized. Ten men at once became Life Members of the Society by subscribing $15 each, and four women honorary members for life by subscribing $10 each, and one zealous brother, a farmer, who had walked thirteen miles in the July sun to attend the meeting, left $15 with the Treasurer and returned home with a happy heart.* The constitution and by-laws then adopted through a committee consisting of Revs. David Marks and Arthur Caverno and Wm. Burr, Esq., have served the Society until the present time with only slight modification. The object of the Society was stated to be " the dissemina- tion of the Gospel in North America." Its first annual meet- ing was held at Lisbon, N. H., Friday, June 12, 1835. Neither the President, nor the Recording Secretary, nor ei- ther of the five Vice Presidents was present, but it appears from the Corresponding Secretary's report, which was duly presented, that the young Society had been active during the year. Rev. J. Woodman, who had been employed as the first missionary! of the Society, had traveled in its interests during a part of the year, had formed several auxiliary socie- ties, and had labored nearly two months in Boston, resulting in the addition of seventeen persons to the church there and the admission of the church itself to the Rockingham Quar- terly Meeting. He had also labored a few weeks in Port- land, Me., and the Report chronicles " a prospect of a church being gathered there." Rev. S. J. Pitman had been appointed a missionary to Ohio, to answer the repeated and urgent requests firom the now failing churches which Colby had formed there 25 years previously, and conversions and * The Morning Star, Vol. 9, No. 16. faoth Annual Report, The Home Mission. 137 baptisms were already reported from him. At this meeting the Society re-employed Rev. J. Woodman for six months of the ensuing year, ordained Rev. B. F. Nealy, of Montpelier, Vt., to be the Society's missionary in the Mississippi valley, sent Rev. Zebina Young to labor as a missionary in the Wheelock Quarterly Meeting in Vermont, and instructed the Executive Committee to prosecute a vigorous campaign against the hosts of sin. As the year progressed. Rev. B. F. Nealy, who had estab- Ushed himself at Howard, Mich., a town near the St. Joseph's river, 1S5 miles south-west of Detroit and 90 miles east of Chicago, called for an assistant, and Rev. S. L. Julian was sent to his aid in July (1836), but he was preceded by two young ladies, Misses Amy Lord, of Great Falls, N. H., and Alice Abbott, of Standish, Me., who had left Dover in May, and were soon engaged in teaching week-day and Sunday- schools in the vicinity of Howard — a work which they pur- sued lovingly and profitably for several years. In New York, through zeal inspired by home missionary influences, several churches were organized in the winter and spring, a Quarter- ly Meeting (the French Creek) was formed, and calls for missionaries came from Ohio, Indiana and Maine, only a part of which could be answered owing to limited resources. In May (1836) Wm. Burr was sent as an agent to the West to inspect the work. He visited New York, Indiana and Michigan — Howard in the last State being the principal point of interest — and returned to Dover June 21. His re- port was encouraging, and his letters in "The Morning Star" did much to awaken confidence and interest in the Society's work. Meanwhile, on June 10 and 11, the second annual meeting of the Society had been held at Sandwich, in connection with the New Hampshire Yearly Meeting, as was the custom at that time. The meeting was peculiar. It was the young So- 138 Centennial Record. ciety's testing time, and its friends were filled with anxiety. The circumstances were as follows : Some of the more zeal- ous members of the Society desired to have public anniversa- ry exercises, and they had proposed to appoint their meeting Saturday, at i o'clock p. m. "But now," says the Secretary in his record of the meeting, " it was thought by some of our brethren present that it would be unsafe to adjourn the Mis- sion meeting to that hour, which is generally or always ap- propriated to the services common to the Yearly Meeting. It was thought that by such a measure we should hazard the displeasure of the Yearly Meeting and endanger the interests of Zion. Saturday afternoon seemed to be regarded as sa- cred to the services of preaching, exhortation, &c., and there- fore to appropriate that time to any kind of business meeting would be an unwarrantable innovation upon established usage, if not a fatal desecration of that day and occasion." But it was finally decided to appoint the meeting on Satur- day, and risk the consequences. " During Friday afternoon and Saturday morning," says the Secretary, "many fearful forebodings were expressed by some of our brethren and by some of the members of the Society, that the proposed meas- ure would be attended with calamitous consequences." Fi- nally the hour approached, and amid " whisperings that there was a strong opposition against the reading of the Report," and amid "fear and trembling from apprehended dangers" the Secretary arose to read. " The labor and effect," he tells us, " of bringing forth before that meeting the sentiments with which the Report opened, seemed to the reader like the breaking up of thick ice — as if you must swim through a chilling, wintry flood, up stream, and break away the ice be- fore you." But there was no outbreak. The Report melted those icy hearts as if it had been a living flame. At its conclusion vol- unteer addresses were made, and people " began to feel for The Home Mission. 139 their wallets." A Mr. David Webster threw a ringing half- eagle on to the table, remarking it was " all he had, and he must trust to the Lord to help him home ; " another brought forward a handkerchief, which he had just paid a dollar for — all he had to give ; old Gen. Hoitt, a hearty Methodist, gave $20 ; a hat was passed around, in which $94.86 was col- lected, and this sum a Bro. Williams Thayer at once made up to :^ioo. Thenceforth the Society had an assured place in the confidence of the people. During the next year (June 1836 — June 1837) Miss Jeru- sha Darling, ofVermont, was employed as a missionary teacher, and stationed at Lafayette, Mich. Rev. S. L. Julian continued as a missionary in the same State, along with Rev. B. F. Nealy, and the Howard Quarterly Meeting was organized there, composed of the Galena, Howard and Noble churches, the last named church being across the boundary line in In- diana. Eight years later this Quarterly Meeting contained ten churches, but in 1847 five churches were set off from it to form the Van Buren Quarterly Meeting, and it has not appeared in the Register %v!\zt 1848, when its remaining churches had either become extinct or had united with other Quarterly Meetings. During the winter of 1837-38 Rev. John Stevens was sent as a missionary to the Montville Quarterly Meeting in Maine. Revivals attended his work in the towns of Hope, Lincoln- ville, Montville, Liberty, Appleton and China, and many of the languishing churches in that section were brought back to Hfe. Rev. J. Woodman did some agency work during this year, Rev. B. F. Nealy traveled through New Hampshire and Vermont in behalf of the interest in Michigan, and Rev. A. Dodge, of New York, went as a missionary to Michigan, where he organized a church at Decatur, returning to New York in 1839. Rev. Richard Reed was also employed as 140 Centennial Reco7'd. a missionary a short time in 1838, and Rev. A. C. Andrus labored in northern Indiana. The Society had applied to the New Hampshire Legislature several times for an act of Incorporation, but had failed to get it, "from the alleged reason," says the Secretary in his third annual Report, "that some of the Freewill Baptists taught that the gospel inculcated the abolition of slavery and were actually engaged in promulgating the doctrine of abolition." But at the June session of the Legislature in 1838 the Society was duly incorporated and its friends re- joiced. We have thus far referred only in general terms to the mission in Michigan, It is noticeable that the first work to which the Society was committed in the West was an educational work. Its missionary there, Rev. B. F. Nealy, was a graduate of Yale college, and on reaching the State in 1835, he at once bought a quarter section of land in Howard township, erected a log cabin and advertised that the first term of Randalian seminary would open Dec. 9, which it did, with about thirty pupils. The seminary — that is, the log cabin — contained a loft, not high enough for a person to stand erect in, and here, in the smoke and con- finement, all through that winter, the devoted wife of this missionary performed her domestic duties while he was teaching the school below. Mr. Nealy had great faith in this enterprise, for we find him the next summer erecting a board building for a church and seminary, a kind of theo- logical school in the wilderness, and foretelling a prosper- ous future. The project promised well on Wm. Burr's visit in 1836, but the improvements just noted left a debt, and in 1837, embarrassments being reported, the Society sent a committee to make an examination. The debt was found to be only $704.45, but the location was pronounced unfav- orable for founding a seminary, and in 1839 the whole con- The Home Mission. 141 cern was put into Rev. J. Woodman's hands to dispose of, and he sold it the next year (1S40) for $800. Do you call the project a failure? Rather it was the be- ginning of a most glorious success, for we believe its later consummation appeared in after years, first atSpring Arbor and then at Hillsdale, where the college may not be inap- propriately pointed to as a witness to the enduring worth of the Home Mission Society's work. The Society had hitherto directed its attention chiefly to Michigan, and particularly to the Howard enterprise. But it was now determined to enlarge the field of operations, a pohcy that was announced in the Secretary's Report for 1839. Rev. S. L. Julian was accordingly sent into Illinois, and on Dec. 29 of that year, at the house of a Rev. John Hetzler, in Greenfield, the Fox River Quarterly Meeting was organized, and it continues to this day. In the East two new churches were added to the Montville Quarterly Meeting through the missionary's labors, and Rev. John Chaney was sent on a tour of observation into Nova Scotia, whence a call had come for Freewill Baptist preachers. He found a pronounced Freewill Baptist sentiment there, organized two churches — the Barrington and Wood'sHar- bor — and favored sending a missionary to carry forward the work. This was done, and during the next few years precious revivals were witnessed in the Province under the labors of Revs. Mark Atwood and M. C. Henderson, of Vermont, the Society's missionaries. In 1 84 1 Rev. H. S. Limbockeris first mentioned in the re- port on the Michigan mission. He had been doing inde- pendent missionary work in the State for ten years, in Jack- son, Leoni and other places, and had organized ten church- es and formed the nucleus of the Michigan Yearly Meeting. Revs. A. C. Andrus and R. M. Carey were sent into Illinois this year under special instructions of the Society to wage un- 142 Centennial Record. compromising warfare on slavery. They obeyed to the let- ter, and were frequently in great peril on account of it — thi-eatened with tar and feathers, beset by hooting mobs and pelted with rocks — but they came of unscathed. The anniversary of the Society in 1842 was unusually inter- esting. The attendance was large, reports from the missiona- ries were encouraging, and a comparatively liberal amount was pledged to carry on the work. In 1843 came the first call for a missionary to Chicago. Three missionaries were em- ployed this year in Ilhnois, and at Quincy Rev. C. M. Sew- all organized a promising church, which had a few prosper- ous years, and then split on the slavery question and finally disappeared. The Society also aided the church in Portland, Me., this year in buying the place of worship which it has since occupied. We now come to the anniversary of the Society in 1844, and the close of its first decade. Let us summarize. At its first annual meeting the Society had but ten Life Members and four honorary members for life [the women were called honorary members]. At its tenth anniversary it had only 67 Life Members aad 34 honorary members. Its receipts the first year were ^209.98 and its expenditures were $129.79 — the smallest sum expended in any year of its history. Its smallest receipts for any year were $164.89, in 1839-40, when its expenditures were $181.38 ; and its largest receipts were $1166 in 1836-7, when its expenditures were $1348.38 — the largest sum expended during the decade. The aggre gate of receipts was $5525.74, and of expenditures $5886.60, for the decade. During the first year the Society employed but one salaried missionary — Rev. J. Woodman — who labored two months in Boston and two in Portland. In each of the years '37-8, '42 -3 and '43-4 the Society employed five missionaries, and during the decade it employed twelve, whose service The Home Mission. 143 equaled the continued service of one man for nearly twenty- two years, and was distributed in the proportion of five months in Massachusetts (all in Boston) ; one year in Wis- consin (principally in what is now the Honey Creek Quarterly Meeting) ; three years and eight months in Maine (two years and six months in Montville Quarterly Meeting, one year in Penobscot valley and two months in Portland) ; six years and ten months in Michigan (principally in Howard and vicinity) ; and ten years in Illinois (chiefly in the territo- ry now covered by the Illinois and Illinois Northern Yearly Meetings) . In Michigan, where in 1834 there was only one Quarterly Meeting — the Oakland — there were in 1844 two Yearly Meetings — the Michigan and West Michigan, — with eight Quarterly Meetings, forty-eight churches and thirty ministers, besides whatever may be represented by the attempt to found a seminary at Howard. In Illinois there was not a known Free\vill Baptist when the Society was organized, but ten years later there were two Yearly Meetings — the Illi- nois Northern and Illinois Southern — seven Quarterly Meet- ings, forty-four churches, thirty ministers and eight hundred communicants. In New York a church had been organized at Buffalo by Rev. B. F. Nealy, who had halted there on his way to Michigan in 1835, which was distinct, however, from the present Buffalo church ; in New England the churches in Boston and Portland were materially helped and the Montville Quarterly Meeting saved from extinction ; and in Nova Scotia one Quarterly Meeting — the Barrington — had been organized, composed of three churches, five ministers and three hundred and fifteen communicants. In addition to this, missionary work was undertaken in Ohio, in Indiana, and in Missouri, whither a colony went from the Liberty church in Illinois in 1S41. A church was also organized in Missouri in 1842, in Davis county, under the Society's 144 Centennial Record. auspices, which in 1843 had grown to two Quarterly Meet- ings, embracing eleven churches and eleven ministers, but owing to their apologetic attitude on the slavery question they were never recognized either by the Society or by the denomination.* During the decade, it appears that about fifteen hundred persons were hopefully converted through the Society's agency, one hundred churches organized, many others revived and quickened and the missionary spirit greatly develaped. Almost at the threshold of its second decade the Society received the most severe blow of its early history in the death of Rev. David Marks, which occurred Dec. i, 1845. He was always its faithful servant, and was greatly interested in its work and progress. Its special work this decade was in aiding feeble churches, of which it assisted upwards of fifty, among them being the churches in Augusta, Bath, Portland, Bangor, Lewiston, Saco and Biddeford in Maine ; Concord, Portsmouth and Ray- mond in New Hampshire ; Boston and So. Boston, Rox- bury and Lawrence in Mass. ; Pawtucket and the Third church (now Park St.) in Providence, R. I. ; the churches in New York city, Buffalo, Rochester and Phoenix in New York ; Jackson, Mich. ; besides Quarterly Meetings and other local interests, which were either brought into exis- tence or saved from death by the Society's work. The re- ceipts for the decade were $19,249.06 against $5,525.82 for the preceding ten years, and with this money an average of twenty missionaries yearly was employed, whose labor was divided in about the ratio of two thirds for New England and one third for New York and the West. In 1846 Rev. N. W. Bixby went to Iowa from Vermont, and began missionary work. The Freewill Baptist cause *ioth Annual Report, p. 18. The Home Mission. 145 there owes its beginning and much of its subsequent prog- ress to his labors. He was the only known Freewill Baptist in the State in 1846, but at the close of the decade in 1854 there was a Yearly Meeting embracing three Quarterly Meetings, thirteen churches, eight ministers and about one hundred and fifteen communicants. During the decade the Michigan Yearly Meeting increased its membership about seventy-five per cent., and the cause in Illinois and Wiscon- sin was equally prosperous. This has reference only to the results of home missionary work. In the list of the Society's missionaries for 1851 appears the name of Rev. Charles G. Ames, as pastor of the church in St. Anthony, Minn. He remained pastor of the church until 1856, when he embraced the Unitarian faith. In 1853 the Society undertook the support of a missiona- ry among the colored refugees in Canada, but after eighteen months the work was given into the hands of a local society which was much better equipped for performing it. The period from 1854 to 1870 may be described as the most interesting in the history of the Society. It embraced not only its customary work, which during this interval as- sumed unusual importance, but also the work among the fi-eed slaves of the South, between whom and their friends at the North the barriers had been beaten down by the shock of war. At the anniversary held in Maineville, O., in June, 1856, the work of raising a permanent fund was begun, the follow- ing persons giving their notes for $100 each, interest to be paid annually, as a nucleus : Rev. Mark Merrill, of Me. ; J. W. Winsor, of R. I. ; Revs. Jeremiah Baldwin and D. M. Graham, of N. Y. : Rev. C. Dodge, of Pa. ; E. Barber, W. Greeley, O. L. Freeman and Rev. D. L. Rice, of O. ; J. S. Palmer, of 111., and E. C. Clough, of Iowa. The fund now amounts to about $5,000. 146 Centennial Record. During the two years from June 1856 to June 1858, in the midst of prevailing financial depression, the receipts had run so low that not a tenth of the requests for aid could be granted, and the Secretary, in his Report for the latter year, comforts the friends of the work by asking them to reflect that although the interest in Roxbury, Mass., which they had previously aided, had failed, and although hberal appropria- tions had been made to the church in New York city while other interests were suffering, yet about $5,000 had been given to our Educational work by a member of the former church and $10,000 by a member of the latter, which would doubtless never have been given but for the influence of this Society. But a survey of the field shows that much was being ac- complished even in the midst of hard times. The number of missionaries employed ranged from nine for the year end- ed August 31, 1S59, to sixty-five for the year ended August 31, 1869, and during this last year fifty-eight churches were aided by appropriations, and five hundred and sixty-three persons were reported baptized by the Society's missiona- ries. We find Rev. R. Dunn laboring in Iflinois and Wis- consin in 1854-5, and reporting conversions by the hundreds, the churches at Hillsdale, Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo, New York city, and those just mentioned in New Englarfd, with the addition of those in Brunswick, Topsham, Gardiner and Dexter in Maine either receiving aid or coming to a condi- tion of self-support and contributing in turn to the help of others. The single church in Minnesota had rapidly multi- plied and grown into a Yearly Meeting in 1853. All through the West the seed that the Society's missionaries had sown in previous years was springing up. In the spring of 1859, Rev. L. Given, just out of the Theological school, began the work in the Aroostook county, in Maine, which remains a memorial of his self-denying toil. In 1862-3 missionary The Home Mission. 147 work was prosecuted in western and central Pennsylvania, where the results are still visible. The Institution and church at Ridgeville, Ind., were founded in 1869, not with- out home Missionary help, and some effort was made to develop the liberal Baptist element in the South, which the results of the war had disclosed there. During this pe- riod about twenty churches were organized, not including those among the freedmen in the South, about the same number of meeting-houses were built, and 2,500 persons were hopefully converted, 2,000 baptized and 2,072 added to the churches. Death had been busy. Rev. Ehas Hutchins, who had been an influential member of the Society, died in 1859; Father Phinney, after giving 40 years of his life to mission- ary work, and Aaron Buzzell had both preceded him in 1855, and several missionary pastors had died later, the most promising of whom was Rev. E. M. Tappan, of the Lawrence church. The Society had frequently declared its uncomprom- ising opposition to slavery, and it was not backward in entering the new field which the war opened to it. At its annuarmeeting in June, 1863, Rev. C. C. Leigh appeared as an Agent of the National Freedmen's Relief Association, and after an address on the work and its needs, the Society resolved to at once enter the field in co-operation with the Association. Rev. E. Knowlton, of Me., was immediately appointed as a missionary and Agent of the Society, but on account of illness he was obliged to delay his departure for the South. In the meantime Rev. S. S. Nickerson, ofVt., was appointed to the work and proceeded at once to Roanoke Island, S. C, one of the places of rendezvous for colored ref- ugees. He arrived in Dec, 1863, and was thus the Society's first missionary to bear the word of life to this long oppress- ed race. The work was vigorously prosecuted. Rev. E. 148 Centennial Record. Knowlton proceeded to Washington in January, 1864, and having procured the necessary passports visited the princi- pal gathering places of the colored people in Eastern Va. and the Carolinas, and on March 2 7 of that year, he organ- ized the first colored Freewill Baptist church in the South, at Beaufort, S. C. The history of the church is brief but in- teresting. Two days after its organization it had 177 mem- bers, all of whom had been slaves. It was put in charge of Rev. Wm. F, Eaton and wife, of Me., and the Society at once began to collect funds in the North to build it a meet- ing-house. The money was soon raised, Rufus Deering, Esq., of Portland, Me., took the contract of building the house, and by the autumn of that year the frame had been made in Portland, shipped thence to Hilton Head, and erect- ed on a lot of land at Beaufort, given by a Capt. Spring- er of Mass., and deeded to the Society. Some of the young lady students at New Hampton, N. H., gave a Bible for the pulpit, and the Washington St. church in Dover, N. H., gave a communion set. The church prospered finely for nearly three years, when the terms of Pres. Johnson's recon- struction " policy " brought back the Rebels to their old haunts, the colored people were scattered and the church was broken up. The house was soon after sold, but there is still a respectable Free Baptist sentiment in that region as the result of the early work. This was only one feature of the Society's operations in the South. A Committee of Western brethren, of which Rev. R. Dunn was chairman and Rev. A. H. Chase Secreta- ry, was appointed to co-operate with the Society, and in the year 1863-4 the Society and the Western Committee em- ployed one General Agent, eight missionaries and twelve teachers who began work among the freedmen at different pointsin Virginia, the Carolinas, and the South-western States. The following year, 1864-5, the Society employed forty- The Home Mission. 149 six missionaries and teachers, who labored at twenty-one different stations in seven Southern States. Sixteen of these teachers went out under the auspices of the Western Com- mittee, and during the year there were many hoi)eful con- versions, five churches were organized, four meeting-houses built and one Quarterly Meeting organized. Four missionaries died during the year : Revs. Edward Scott, of Providence, R. I., Stillman Fuller, of Pa., Joseph A. Shaw, of Dixmont, Me., and Miss Abbie M. Church, of Phillips, Me., all of whom were faithful and devoted labor- ers and died at their posts. But the period of reconstruction was coming on, and its effects were not favorable to free missionary work among the colored people at the South. These effects were felt most severely in South Carolina, resulting at length in the aban- donment of the whole State, a step that was taken in accord- ance with the advice of Revs. L. B. Tasker and E. A. Stock- man, who were among the Society's missionaries there in 1865. The number of teachers and missionaries employed by the Society this year, in the Southern work, fell to thirty- three, of whom eleven were sent out by the Western Com- mittee ; but the number of stations was greater, aggregating twenty-five, and distributed in the States of Pennsylvania, the Virginias, the Carolinas and southern Illinois. The receipts for the work were encouragingly large. At the annual meeting in 1864 the Secretary had asked for $10,000 for the next year, — a large sum in the estimates of a people whose contributions for home missionary work had for thirty years averaged only about $1,200 yearly. But the $10,000 was contributed and more besides. At the annual meeting in 1865 $16,000 was called for, and the next year's report showed that this also had been raised, and over $500 additional. The crowning work of the Society in the South was about 150 Centennial Record. to be entered upon. In the summer of 1865 the Shenando- ah valley, from Harper's Ferry to Winchester in W. Va., had been assigned to the Society's care in the general dividing up of the territory among the different benevolent organiza- tions, and its agent, Rev. N. C. Brackett, began at once to organize schools at Harper's Ferry and in the neighboring towns. During the ensuing year he superintended the in- struction of about two thousand five hundred colored peo- ple, the most of the Society's teachers being now located in this valley. In the Secretary's Report for 1866 appears this item : •'NORMAL SCHOOL FOR THE FREEDMEN. *' Rev. L. Given, who labored as a missionary and teacher for some 3 months in the Shenandoah mission, recommends to the Board the importance of taking measures immediately for the establishment of a Normal school in the valley for the Freed- men. In this suggestion Bro. Brackett heartily concurs; and the Board have appointed a committee to take the subject into consideration and report on the same." So far as this Society is concerned, that seems to have been the beginning of our present educational institution at Har- per's Ferry. The Committee which the Secretary mentions, and of which Rev. I. D. Stewart was chairman, visited the valley, and after an examination, reported in favor of the proposed school and of Harper's Ferry as its location.* Rev. A. H. Morrell was appointed to the charge of the mis- sionary operations in the valley, in 1867, and for thirteen years he performed efficient and faithful service. Rev. N. C. Brackett was made superintendent of schools the same year, and had under his care twenty-one teachers who had been sent out by the Society. The Western Committee em- ployed twenty-eight teachers this year in the Cairo mission. *For further details see paper on " Educational Institutions." The Home- Mission. 151 During the next year (1867-8) the Western Committee employed twenty-three teachers and missionaries, but owing to the efforts made in the East to meet the condition on which the Storer bequest had been made, only thirteen teachers were sent to the Shenandoah valley ; but this dim- inution was partly supplied by the labors of seven colored assistant missionaries, who rendered good service under Mr. Morrell's directions. During the year five churches and one Quarterly Meeting were organized in the Valley, and sites for meeting-houses bought in Charlesto\vn, Martinsburg, Winchester and Perr)'ville, where we now have flourishing churches. Rev. J. S. Manning had been appointed to the charge of the Cairo Mission, where a Yearly Meeting was or- ganized in 1868, his work being supplemented by the school in operation at Cairo under the charge of Mr. P. C. Talford. And so we come to the year 1870, with the Normal School at Harper's Ferry full to overflo\\dng, colored men and women, lately slaves, already going out to teach in the adjoining towns, five good meeting-houses built and as a rule paid for, eleven ministers preaching the Word, and a growing church membership. The estimated value of prop- erty in the Southern mission, owned by the Society or by organizations related to it, was at that date ;?44,625, of which $6,000 was invested in the Cairo mission, where there were twenty-seven churches, twenty-three ministers, twenty meeting-houses and three thousand church members. The Freedmen's Bureau had appropriated $3,000 to the Cairo mission in 1869, to replace the school building which had been burned, and in the same year the Western Committee was dissolved, its Secretary closing his last report to the So- ciety as follows : " The brethren in the West have generously sustained this [the Cairo] mission for years past, and will as cheerfully sustain it in years to come." 152 Centcnfiial Record. Ten years of the Society's history remain to be consid- ered. It will be most natural to continue the record of its work in the South to the present time. Up to May 31, 1862, the Treasurer had received only $64.65 to be used in behalf of the liberated slaves, but during the next six years the Society received and expended in that work $71,683.50. About $9,300 of this sum was raised in the West and ex- pended in the Cairo mission. Up to the present year (1880) the Society has appropriated, in the aggregate, to its work among the Freedmen about $115,000, of which sum about $55,oco has been expended in the Shenandoah val- ley, and $16,725 in the Cairo mission, this last sum having been raised principally in the West. The school has been discontinued at Cairo, but the missionary work has been ex- tended further down the Mississippi Valley and into Kentucky and Alabama, and there are now in that Mission three Year- ly Meetings, — the Southern Illinois, the Kentucky and the Louisiana, — containing in all seventy-one churches, seventy- nine ordained ministers, twenty-five licentiates and tliree thousand three hundred and sixty-three communicants. The mission in the Shenandoah valley has been organized into what is known as the Virginia Freewill Baptist Associa- tion, embracing three Quarterly Meetings, thirteen churches, fourteen ordained ministers, four licentiates and nine hun- dred and forty-six communicants. It is in a vigorous and hopeful condition. Its meeting-house and parsonage prop- erty is valued at $18,550. The salary of the Principal of the Normal School, and also that of the superintending mission- ary, are annually paid from the Home Mission treasury. Taking now a broader view, we find that nearly the whole numerical gain of the denomination during the last twenty years has been made directly through the Society's agency. With an average of yearly receipts during the last decade of only $5,000 (during the last five years the receipts have The Home Mission. 153 averaged only about ;$3,ooo), the Society has aided about fifty different churches in the support of preaching, from Maine to Minnesota, and helped to sustain missionaries ac- cording to its ability. Among the churches thus aided are several in Maine and New Hampshire, those in Lynn and Boston, Mass., the Park, Greenwich and Pond streets in Providence, R. I., the churches in Cleveland and Spring- field, Ohio, which have become flourishing interests, and the church in Chicago, to save which the Society used its ut- most effort so long as any effort could avail. Under an arrangement entered into by all our Benevolent Societies in 1876, whereby one Treasurer and one Financial Secretary have since been employed for all of them, the run- ning expenses of the Home Mission Society have been somewhat reduced. State and local Societies have always been a feature of our home missionary work. Organized at first by encour". agement of the parent Society, and serving as auxiliaries to it, they have in later years somewhat embarrassed its opera- tions, so that at its annual meeting in 1879 the Society passed a resolution asking the General Conference to adopt such measures as would result either in the discontinuance of State and local societies or in bringing them into closer re- lations with the parent Society. During this decade death removed Brethren Knowlton, Day, Tasker and John Stevens, all active friends of the So- ciety and closely identified with its work and progress. An exact statement of the amount of money expended in home missionary work during the Society's existence would be impossible. The total receipts into the Treasury up to Jan. I, 1880, were $214,343.90. Included in this sum is $13,500 donated by the Printing Establishment, and about $33,000 in legacies. At least $150,000 has been contribu- ted by individuals and the churches. But this estimate does 154 Centennial Record. not include the sums raised and expended by State and lo- cal societies, which must aggregate many thousands of dol- lars. The Society has always aimed at doing its work on a cash basis, meaning never to incur debts ; but in pursuing this line of policy it can answer only a small proportion of the appeals for aid. The economy and efficiency with which its affairs have been managed have been largely due to its officers, and par- ticularly to its Executive Committee. A full Hst of these officers would be impracticable. The first President was Rev. S. B. Dyer, who held the office five years. Rev. A. Caverno was the first Recording Secretary, and he also con- tinued five years in office. Rev. David Marks was the first Corresponding Secretary, but for one year only. Wm. Bun- succeeded him, and was himself succeeded after one year by Rev. Enoch Mack, who held the office three years (1836 -9). Rev. Silas Curtis was chosen Corresponding Secretary in 1839, and remained in office thirty consecutive years, when he resigned, and Rev. Geo. H. Ball was elected to the vacancy. He held the office a little more than a year, when he resigned, and Rev. Silas Curtis was reappointed. He again resigned in 1871, and was succeeded by Rev. A. H. Chase, who held office until the annual meeting in 1875. During his term of office a magazine — The Evangelist — de- voted to the interests of the Society, was published under its auspices, the Secretary serving as its editor. Mr. Chase was succeeded by Rev, J. S. Burgess, who held the office two years, when he was succeeded by the present Secretary, Rev. A. L. Gerrish. From its organization until the year 1866 the Society had but one Treasurer — Wm. Burr, Esq., of hallowed memory. At the annual meeting in June of that year he resigned, so that, as he said, he might have time to care for the interests The Home Mission. 155 of his soul. His death the following November showed how nearly to the brim he had filled his earthly life with earnest work. God takes care of the souls of such men. Rev. Silas Curtis was elected to the vacant treasurership, and although he presented his resignation in 1877, and urged its acceptance, he has nevertheless been kept in of- fice until the present time. We have thus outlined the history of the Society for a pe- riod of forty-six years. To the good God and the brethren we commend its future. For the sake of our denomination, for the sake of our country, and for the sake of Christianity, let the Society receive the support to which its opportuni- ties entitle it, that it may do its part in overcoming the thronging foes of the Republic and of Religion. As we said in the beginning of this paper, our rise and early prog- ress were due to the missionary and evangelical type of la- bor. Almost our whole numerical gain during the last twenty years has come through the work of this Society. Can we reasonably doubt that our future as a Christian peo- ple is to be intimately connected with this same Society's work ? EDUCATIONAL WORK. In presenting the educational work of this denomination we repeat history whose first Hnes record the significant la- bors of many here to-day. Although we celebrate our centennial as a denomination, the birth of our Education Society was only forty-one years ago, and the beginning of systematic theological education one year later. Prejudice against an educated ministry and education for the ministry, largely predominated during the first sixty years of our existence, and for along time previous to 1840, we had been losing from our ranks many ministers of piety and promise, on account of our position on this question of ed- ucation. Enterprising laymen in sympathy with us on other points refused to join us because of our intellectual de- ficiencies and our neglect of education and general improve- ment. Ministers were embarrassed by being compelled to engage in trade or to work as day laborers on the farm, or to culti- vate, as best they might, the scanty acres they chanced to pos- sess. Their temporal wants were neglected by the churches, and their families were often reduced to absolute suffering. To say that the ministry were to blame for such a condition of things, on account of fear of the charge of worldliness and a mercenary spirit, would be true, but this does not justi- Educational Work. jey fy the churches in that painful neglect which generally pre- vailed. Many felt that God called them to preach, but not without calling them to make suitable intellectual prepara- tion. They struggled long with their sense of deficiencies and mental unfitness, but received no encouragement, ei- ther by word or offer of pecuniary assistance from those who ought to have rendered help and cheer. If they persevered in looking forward to the work of the ministry, they met further discouragements in the absence of facilities among us for education. It was not strange, therefore, that not a few attempted to banish their convictions of duty by attention to business, and that some entered the schools and the fellow- ship of other denominations. This condition arrested the attention of some of the most intelligent and active of the ministry as early as the close of the first quarter of the present century, and for the next fifteen years many faithful ministers groaned in spirit, wept and prayed, with but little prospect of relief. They saw the increase of intelligence in society at large, and no corres- ponding efforts among Free Baptists to keep up with it or to avail themselves of it for improvement of either the ministry or the laity. Prior to 1840, we had few churches in cities and large villages, and {q.\\ men qualified to occupy such positions. The principles of the denomination were inad- equately understood and feebly presented, so that we were often misrepresented and caricatured ; designing men, and imposters, represented their gross notions as those of Free Baptists without fear of exposure. The spirit and practice of the fathers, Randall, Tingley, Stinchfield and others, were not appreciated nor understood generally by our ministry. Those men were not opposed to learning in the ministry, but they resisted the idea that learning was a sufficient quali- fication for the ministry, or any substitute for the grace of 158 Centennial Record. God in the heart. They were accustomed to hold ministers' conferences, at which the younger preachers received in- struction from those quaUfied to teach. These were schools of the most valuable kind, where doctrines and methods of preaching were discussed and plans for efficiency adopted. So that, under mistake as to the real position of the fathers on the subject of education, our ministry failed to make, in the generation succeeding Randall and Tingley, improve- ment at all equal to that of the earliest ministers of the de- nomination. Indeed, too many gloried in their ignorance, and boasted of their lack of desire to learn. In the autumn of 1S39 four ministers * met at Farmington, Me., and after prayerful deliberation, determined to pre- pare a call for an educational convention, and send it to ministers in different parts of the denomination for signa- tures. In December following, the call was published in "The Morning Star," signed by forty-six ministers and lay- men who had given the matter of ministerial education se- rious consideration, and deeply felt and deplored the lack of facilities for training young men for the work of the min- istry. The call was as follows : " The undersigned, considering the extensive field spread out before us, in our beloved connection, the great destitu- tion of the means of grace that exists among us, and the worth of undying souls ; feeling the importance of a correct understanding of the Scriptures, and of ability rightly to di- vide the word of truth, in those who are set to watch the in- terests of Zion ; and being desirous of furnishing the means of improvement in a knowledge of divine things to all with- in our reach : Therefore, we extend a cordial invitation and request to all the preachers and brethren, friendly to the objects herein named, to meet in Convention at Acton, Me., ■'•^John Chancy, Silas Curtis, D. Waterman, J. J. Butler. Educational Work. 159 Jan. 15, 1840, at 10 o'clock a. m., to adopt measures for providing the means of Biblical instruction for pious young men who promise usefulness to the church." The four ministers whose interest resulted in this call are present to-day. Seventy-six ministers and prominent laymen responded to the call and met at the time indicated. Seventeen resolutions were discussed at considerable length and adopted ; these form the basis on which the Education Society was established, and set forth the spirit of the denomination of that time and substantially of the pres- ent day on the subject of ministerial education. Among those resolutions are the following : (i) That no man, whatever may be his natural or ac- quired attainments, can preach the gospel, unless he have been especially called of God. (2) That the Scriptures, accompanied by the aid of the Holy Spirit, are the only source whence the servant of God can derive that instruction which is requisite to qualify him for teaching the great truths of religion. (3) It is indispensably necessary for one who is about to teach others, first to understand the subject clearly him- self. (14) That while we are making greater efforts for an in- crease of knowledge in the sciences and the Scriptures, there is great danger of losing that spirituality and warmth of heart so conspicuous in our fathers, and of becoming cold and lifeless in our communications, against which the eternal welfare of souls and the awful responsibilities of the gospel require us studiously to guard. At the close of the Convention an Education Society was organized. In the Constitution adopted, it was specified that the Board of directors shall have a general regard for the interests of Education in the denomination and shall take such measures as they may deem proper to promote these interests. After the Society was organized, a subscrip- tion of $300 was made, and it was decided to establish a i6o Centennial Record. library department in connection with Parsonsfield seminary on the I St. of September following. A library of 700 vols, was purchased, at an expense of ^600. Rev. M. M. Smart was appointed principal of the Library Department, so called ; and in the following spring lectures were delivered by Revs. Z. Jordan, Silas Curtis and Martin Cheney. The first annual meeting of the Education Society was held at South Parsonsfield, Me., Jan. 13 and 14, 1841. Samuel Whitney was President ; J. J. Butler, Corresponding Secre- tary ; Silas Curtis, Recording Secretary ; J. M. Harper, Treas- urer, and Wm. Burr, Assistant Treasurer. The work of the Society was declared to be especially the providing of means for the intellectual and moral improvement of young preachers. Churches were recommended to estab- lish quarterly concerts of prayer for the ministry, " that God would raise up more laborers." A collection amounting to $70 was taken. The name of the department was changed to that of " Bib- lical Department." An elaborate and valuable report, which is pleasant and profitable reading after the lapse of thirty- nine years, was presented by the Corresponding Secretary on the value and need of ministerial education. The friends of the Society were greatly encouraged by the endorsement of their aims and plans by the General Confer- ence atTopsham in the autumn of 1841. In the latter part of the second year of its existence the department became much embarrassed for want of funds, and the principal was infomied that the Society could not be re- sponsible for the expenses of the fall term. In September, 1842, it was no longer a department of Parsonsfield seminary, being removed to Dracut, Mass., as an independent Biblical school, the principal becoming personally responsible for the expenses of the term. Up to this time the pecuniary ne- Educatioval Work. i6i cessities had been met by a few individuals — mostly poor min- isters. The denomination had done litde except to pass ex- cellent resolutions in favor of the school and the work of the Society. Nevertheless the school had prospered. During the first two years forty-three young men had been in attendance, some of them the entire period. The third year, at Dracut, opened with twenty-five students who were obliged " to hire an establishment for their accom- modation." But in March, 1843, the Society again assumed support of the school, and in November, 1844, amid much enthusiasm and great interest both at the East and the West, removed it to Whitestown, N. Y., employing M. M. Smart and J. J. Butler as teachers. The number of students this year was 40 ; in the following year 55 were in attendance. The Education Society was incorporated by act of the New Hampshire Legislature in 1846. In 1849 but one teacher, J. J. Butler, was employed. After twelve years' exist- ence (1852), the Corresponding Secretary is compelled to record, " cold neglect and cruel indifference at the hands of many." There was at that time little interest in the school, its finances were embarrassed, and the attendance lamentably small. The following year (1853), new interest was awakened and new vigor infused into the working of the Society. A subscription of $5,000 was filled, Jotham Parsons taking 1^2,500. Arrangements were completed for transferring the school to New Hampton, and a call for $20,000 to be added to the permanent fund met an encouraging response. For t\venty-five years the New Hampton Institution had been a flourishing school under the patronage of the Baptists. When they removed their interest to another location, the friends of education in New Hampton proposed to Free Baptists to unite with them in the re-establishment of the 1 62 Centennial Record. school. Fifteen thousand dollars were raised and the school was opened in the summer of 1853. Its prosperity, flatter- ing at the outset, has continued without abatement. In connection with the session of the General Conference at Fairport in 1853, there was an earnest discussion over the proposal to remove the Theological School to New Hampton. The debate occupied portions of several days, ending with an agreement, in which all parts of the denomination harmonious- ly joined, that the school should be removed. It became es- tablished in the autumn of 1854 at New Hampton, J. J. But- ler and J. Fullonton, teachers. For the first time the Society, tlirough the liberality of many friends, especially that of Jotham Parsons, extended pecuniary aid in the year 1854-5, to members of the school. Fifteen were aided to the amount of ^3 75 . The number of stu- dents in attendance the first year at New Hampton was twenty- one ; in the year following, there were seventeen. In his report for the latter year (1856), the Corresponding Secretary says : " The prosperity of the school is not necessarily attached to any mere place. The attendance is not what we expected and hoped it would be." The Executive Committee of the Society called upon the young men and the denomination to sustain the school. But while the literary department flour- ished, the Theological School only maintained its limited numbers, varying from twelve, the* lowest number in 1862-3, to twenty-six, the highest in 1859-60. In 1859, the erection of a new building for the use of the Theological School be- gan to be agitated and was discussed for several years with- out any practical result. At length, in 1867, there seemed to be a hopeful opening for the location of the School at Haverhill, Mass. A site was select- ed and plans were adopted, and a considerable subscription for erecting buildings secured, but after several months of planning the project was abandoned in the following year. StiU the Educational Work. 163 question of removal was agitated, and after the consideration of offers from several other sources, the proposal of Bates col- lege to accommodate the school wilh a fine building and provide for three additional professors, was accepted and since 1870 it has been a department of the college. The average number of students has been less than twenty-five. The Professors at the present time are Rev, John Fullonton, D. D., Rev. James A. Howe, d. d., Rev. B. F. Hayes, d. D., and JVIr. Thomas H. Rich. We will only briefly refer here to the general educational work of the denomination in which the Education Society has been more or less intimately concerned. The history of our institutions of learning will be presented by another wTiter to whom that task has been specifically assigned. We began, denominationally, the work of education at Parsonsfield, where the first academy was established in 1832, with Hosea Quinby as principal. Academies sprang up and flourished, and general education was freely provided for, especially in the years 1840-50. This was a period of rapid denominational growth; our membership increasing from forty thousand to sixty thousand. Twenty-four years from the planting of Parsonsfield Semi- nary, in the year 1856, there had been ^220,000 invested in the various grades of educational institutions ; and at the present day more than one million dollars have been raised for educational purposes, in connection with about twenty seminaries and academies in various States, nearly all of which are now in a prosperous condition. A college was opened at Spring Arbor, Mich., in 1844, amid circumstances that read with the interest of romance, accompanied with a heroism and devotion on the part of its first principal and founders full of inspiration. Nov. 7, 1855, it was removed to Hillsdale and from that time has been steadily gaining in strength and influence in its several de- 164 Centennial Rcco'd. partments of Preparatory, Collegiate and Theological work, and is rendering incalculable service to the churches of the West. Maine State Seminary, opened in 1857, became Bates college in 1863, and to-day is a great educational power among us. New England fittingly and necessarily looks to this college, as a center of helpful influences without which our prosperity must be vitally hindered. The college calls for both pecuniary and spiritual help — a large place in the hearts and benefactions of our membership. Our schools and colleges must be places where godliness shall be enthroned and promoted ; whence hope, light and strength may go out to the church and the world. We are not wise in supporting them simply as literary institutions, we must labor and pray that their graduates may be a posi- tive Christian force in the world. Our hope and success for the century upon which we have just entered depend upon the manner and spirit with which we solve this question of education. We must insist upon such an education as shall make citizens of usefulness and piety ; uniting culture of intellect with spiritual growth and power. We want, America wants, the world wants only consecrated men and women who shall relieve its woes and bring peace and cheer. Finally, what has been the work and mission of this Edu- cation Society? It has wrought a great change in the minds of our people on the subject of ministerial education, and by promoting that education it has removed one of the most serious hin- drances to our prosperity. It was once said by opposers to an educated ministry that " if a young man had but the smell of Whitestown upon his garments, that would be enough to bring the curse of God upon all his efforts to save sinners." Educational Work. 165 It has raised for theological education $84,000, besides the income of its invested funds, which amounts to $56,000 more. It has furnished instruction to nearly four hundred young men in preparation for the work of the ministry, more than one hundred of whom have graduated from the regular course in theological schools. A large proportion of all the students have received pecuniary aid from the funds of the Society. The present number preparing for the ministry in our various institutions is about ninety. The Society has expended its energies chiefly in two di- rections : the raising of funds to furnish instruction in theo- logical schools, and the giving of pecuniary assistance to young men preparing for the ministry. As we read with amazement the expressions of pain used by those who, as instructors in our theological school or as lovers of the prosperity of Zion, have poured out their souls over the needs of the Seminary and the destitution of the churches, we are forced to exclaim, again and again, " Oh, men, great is your faith, that with such fainting hearts ye can still be pursuing !" How often their hearts sank, but how often comes the record of their hope, till we are are compelled to say : these men are of no common mold and though they " die without the sight," yet their heavenly Canaan must be glorious beyond that of common men. Let our young men imitate the zeal and devotion of the fa- thers of the Free Baptist ministry ; let them cultivate similar gifts of persuasion and emulate their self-denials. Let the fathers now in the ministry feel toward the rising ministry, with its superior advantages and attainments, as one of them once said before this Society : " I can not die in peace until I have done something for the rising ministry. I care not how much my young brethren go before me in intelligence, usefulness and hohness. The farther the better. Even if their light as far surpasses mine as the sun outshines the 1 66 Centennial Record. moon and twinkling stars, it will illuminate my closing days, and shed a welcome radiance around my dying bed." Let our brethren, old and young, take such positions as we have indicated, and our future ^^^ll show more signal triumphs than we have gained in the past, for in it will be felt, as never before, the power of consecrated talent and zeal according to knowledge. SUNDAY-SCHOOL WORK. No historic statement of the Freewill Baptist denomina- tion would be complete without a report of its Sunday-school organization and work. From small beginning and recent date the Sunday-school has become a general and powerful auxiliary to Christian denominations in their every depart- ment of interest and labor. Imparting Bible instruction, infusing moral sentiment, imposing wholesome restraint upon evil tendencies, inspiring to nobleness of character and action, and doing all these at the most favorable period of life, and upon so large a proportion of the juvenile population of our country and the world, it has come to be a power for good, a vital and vitalizing moral force, second only to that of the church itself; a fact evinced by the man- ifest superiority of churches conducting well-regulated Sun- day-schools and by the very large proportion of accessions to the church and to the ministry from this source. Who can estimate the power of an institution having a membership of neariy or quite eight million in the United States alone, and of neariy an equal number in other countries, all devoted to the study and teaching of God's word? The relation of the Sunday-school to the interests of the State is hardly less vital than to the Church, furnishing as it does, and as it is adapted to doing, besides no little general intelligence, the moral and most essential condition to the success and perpetuity of civil government. l68 Centennial Record. Considering the importance and the simplicity of the Sun- day-school, it is a marvel that its origin was of so recent date. Was the world, until so late a period, unprepared to appre- ciate it? Was the Church too much occupied with doctri- nal discussion, having meat, but without the milk of the Word requisite to the nurture and growth of the juvenile in- stitution ? God be thanked that, at length, in due time may we not say, by one general inspiration, good men in every part of Christendom conceived and executed, in one form or another, the idea of systematic effort to bring all the young children to Christ " that He might lay His hands upon and bless them." The idea and the precept to religiously educate the young is as ancient as Moses, as ancient as Adam and Eve, who so thoroughly drilled their children to the practice of religion that Abel would die rather than compromise his faith, and Cain, the murderer, even, by force of his education made of- fering to God. The Jews taught the Scriptures diligently to their children. Timothy, by the faithfulness of his grand- mother Lois and his mother Eunice, " knew the Holy Script- ures from a child." The early Christians are said to have so thoroughly indoctrinated their famiUes that their young children are said to have often been more than a match, in the Scriptures, for their persecuting priestly inquisitors. Of the origin of the modern Sunday-school, both as to date and agency, it becomes us to speak with caution. Representatives from every part of Christendom have just met in London (June 28 to July 3, 1880) to celebrate what they are pleased to call the one hundredth anniversary of the origin of Sunday-schools by Robert Raikes. The evi- dence is, however, that Sunday-schools existed in Italy cen- turies before the time of Raikes ; that two hundred years be- fore, in his own country, a rubric in the Book of Common Prayers gave directions for Sunday exercises for children in ^ Sunday-school Work. 169 the Catechisms ; that Luther established Sunday-schools for children in Germany, and Knox in Scotland ; that early in the history of New England, weekly exercises in the Script- ures and Catechisms were given to children, and that John Wesley instituted Sunday-schools in Savannah as early as in 1737. The honor of antedating Raikes in the modern type of the Sunday-school is claimed for a Mrs. Lake, of Marietta, Ohio, who instituted a Sunday-school of the strictly religious type, in the government forts of that place in the year 1791. It is generally conceded, however, that Mr. Raikes so em- phasized the idea of giving Sunday instruction to children, so systematized the work, and so aroused the public mind to this matter that he, really, seems to have opened the Sunday-school era. In nine years after, in his own country alone the Sunday-school had grown to a membership of three hundred thousand, and in a single century, in Christen- dom, it has grown to a membership of nearly or quite thir- teen million. It has seemed necessary to give a brief outline of the Sunday-school work in general as an introdution to what we have to say of the Sunday-schools of the Freewill Baptist de- nomination. Historic facts relating to the Sunday-school among us are exceedingly meager, enforcing the necessity of greater care in working up the records of the denomination, from time to time, in its every department of work. Free- will Baptists are not alone in this defect. Freewill Baptists originated in the United States when Sunday-schools were little known. A few had been institut- ed as we have said in New England and Pennsylvania as early as in 1658 to 1660 and a little later, and by Wesley in 1737, but it was not until the second decade of the present century that Sunday-schools existed in any considerable numbers. For a long time many objections were urged by people good and worthy no doubt, and the progress was I/O Centennial Record. slow. It was " a new institution, an experiment, and its adoption might prove a dangerous precedent." It was " a human invention and might not harmonize well with the fore-ordained plan for saving the elect." Freewill Baptists had their objections : Existing Sunday-schools " were main- ly sectarian and taught the Catechism," and Freewill Bap- tists then, as since, emphasized the Scriptures as their text- book in theology, and the personal independence of every one in the study of them. The Sunday-schools " taught Cal- vinism and Pedo-baptism, and the errors " which Freewill Baptists could not endorse. Again, many churches of those times of the older and larger denominations, gave evi- dence of having fearfully overlooked the necessity of regen- eration, and that their membership was largely void of vi- tal piety. Freewill Baptists emphasized the doctrine of the new birth, and carefully guarded against a non-converted membership (an example their successors might well copy), and were hence cautious, doubtless to a fault, of early con- versions among children, and of efforts to ^^ learn them to be Christians." This tardiness of our fathers in advancing to the Sunday- school work, strange as it seems to us, was nevertheless in keeping with other pecuUarities attaching to them of those times. We are struck, for example, with the tameness of the action of the second General Conference, 1S28, in an- swer to an inquiry from the Maine Western Yearly IMeeting, — "We advise our brethren, who are convinced of the utility of Sunday-schools, to form them," &c. Tame enough. But this was only eight years after the Freewill Baptists of Upper Gilmanton took the precaution, just before a session of the Yearly Meeting to be held there, to have the Selectmen of the place post notices "forbidding the sale of spirituous liquors in the streets or near the meeting," and a less time after the Weare Quarterly Meeting " earnestly recommend- Sunday-school Work. 171 ed (to its members) not to use any ardent spirits on funeral occasions except when the patient died of some contagious disease." The first Freewill Baptist Sunday-school of which we have any record was in Wilton, Me., 18 19, sustained by the influ- ence of Rev. John Foster. From about this time schools were occasionally organized, the churches growing gradually in favor of them. In 183 1 our best ministers and churches favored them, instituted sample forms and sought to give them permanency. In 1832 schools were formed in many churches. By the General Conference of 1839 it was re- solved, Thomas Perkins chairman, "That we regard the Sunday-school cause as a bright harbinger of the Millennial day, the era of glory on earth, in which aU shall know the Lord from the least to the greatest." At the General Con- ference of 1839 it was reported, "the denomination, as a body, is known to be in favor of such institutions." "The Morning Star," favorable from the first, early emphasized the importance of the Sunday-school. In its issue of July 22, 1 83 1, appeared an editorial on the management of the Freewill Baptist Sunday-school of Limerick, Me., at which place the "Star" was then being pubhshed, and on the 29th of the same month opened, in its columns, a Sunday-school department. Calls now began to come in for Sunday-school libraries, and at the General Conference of 1833, pursuant to a request from the Kennebec Yearly Meeting, it was agreed that " the Publishing Committee and Book Agent be instructed to act as a Sunday-school Union, for the con- nection, until further measures shall be taken by the Com- mittee on the subject." This organization was effected and a constitution adopted and reported in the "Star" of June 16, 1834. Subscriptions of money were now soon made for pubUshing books, and a call issued for applications for libra- ries. In 1834 agents were appointed for the organization 172 Centennial Record. and encouragement of Sunday-schools, and Revs. Samuel and P. S. Burbank were so employed in N. H. and western Me. In 1835 renewed efforts were made to increase the resources of the Union. At length, the Sunday-school Union, composed of the Publishing Committee and Agent, desired an organization in which the denomination should take part and be responsible, and, instructed by the General Conference of 1835 issued a call for a convention which met at Great Falls, Feb. 24, 1836, and here was organized the present Freewill Baptist Sunday-school Union. Samuel Runnells, of New Durham, a co-laborer with Randall, and one of our most efficient business men, was made the first President, though at that time over eighty years of age. Enoch Place, Samuel B. Dyer, N. King, John Buzzell, John Foster were elected Vice-Presidents, Enoch Mack, Secretary and Wm. Burr, Treasurer. These all " rest from their labors and their works do follow them." Wm. Thayer, of Provi- dence, R. I., was appointed General Agent without promise of salary or compensation, more than the friends of his work might choose to contribute. Of this Agent, the Executive Committee said, in their first Annual Report, " our Agent, Mr. Thayer, is a gentleman in whom we have unlimited confidence, and who renders his services gratuitously, to- gether with expenses incident to the prosecution of his Agency, to the amount of ^400." His enthusiasm for his work, as that also of his worthy co-laborers, is expressed in the following spirited resolution, moved by the Agent and unanimously supported at this same anniversary : " Re- solved, That by the help of the Lord this Union will use its best efforts to have established, within three years, a well- organized and well-sustained Sunday-school in every church in our denomination." At the first anniversary it was re- ported that there were seventy-five thousand children and youth connected with Freewill Baptist families, that ought to Sunday-school Work. 173 be enlisted in the study of the Bible. By this time §150 of pledges previously made had been collected, and besides, other moneys donated, to the amount in all of $193-75, and a Depository estabhshed at Dover of 1,200 books and 300 unbound pamphlets, at an expense of $209.69. By the di- rection of the Executive Committee about this time a Trea- tise of 24 pp. was published, upon the manner of organizing and conducting Sunday-schools, which was subsequently widely circulated and very helpful to the churches. From this date to the present the Union, has steadily prosecuted its work, through many perplexities, collecting and disburs- ing funds, publishing, selecting and distributing books and other Sunday-school literature, employing agents, collecting and reporting statistics and other items of interest to Sunday- school workers. During the last ten years, under the Secre- taryship of Bro. E. W. Page, of New York, the annual re- ports of the Union have been published in pamphlet form, containing tables of statistics, a report of Sunday-school work in our denomination in general, together with items on temperance, reform, and other topics of general and special interest, — a valuable help, a copy of which ought to be in every Freewill Baptist family. The Printing Establishment at Dover has been to this, as to other branches of denominational work, an engine of power. Besides its early editorials, and its Sunday-school Department in the "Star " of which we have spoken, it pub- hshed in 1833 a "Catechism for children," of 60 pp., pre- pared by David Marks. This was followed by the "Trea- tise" on organizing and conducting schools. In 1S44 the Establishment commenced the publication of a " Sabbath- school Repository," in pamphlet, of 24 pp., 4 1-2 by 7 inches. This was discontinued after about one year for want of sufficient patronage. But the call for some kind of Sun- day-school paper, adapted to the instruction of children, was 174 Centennial Record. frequent and urgent, and, agreeably to a recommendation of the General Conference of 1844, another effort was made, and "The Myrtle" appeared May 17, 1845, a semi-month- ly 13 by 20 inches, or about one eighth smaller than "The Myrtle " of the present. It cost 50 cts. per copy, or 20 cts. for fifty or more copies to one address. Its first editor was Ellas Hutchins. It soon became apparent that a single pa- per, semi-monthly, did not meet the demands of churches and Sunday-schools, and Jan. 11, 1873, "The Little Star" appeared alternating with " The Myrtle," the two supplying reading matter to Sunday-schools for every Sunday, and suited to the different grades of scholars. Subscriptions to " The Myrtle " were, at the beginning, 1845, less than 1,000 ; in 1855, 10,000; in 1865, 12,000, and 1875, 16,000. "The Little Star," at first, 1873, ^^^ a subscription list of 13,000. At present, "The Myrtle," reduced somewhat by "The Little Star," has a patronage of 10,000, and the two of 19,000. In 1867 the Establishment published a "Question Book," by Rev. G. H. Ball, and another for children by Mrs. Mary Latham Clark, called " The Story of Jesus." Two years la- ter another was published for children, by the same author- ess, called " The Wonderful Works of Jesus." These all met with ready sale. Soon followed the era of " Lesson Leaves," and "Notes and Hints," with Scripture Lessons and Questions, by Prof. J. A. Howe, of Lewiston, Me., ap- peared in a separate small sheet of 4 pp. commencing with the lesson for July 6, 1873. These " Lesson Leaves " and " Question Books " still continue.* The question of publishing books for Sunday-school libra- ries was often brought forward, but delayed from time to *" The Star Quarterly," under the editorship of Rev. G. C. Waterman, be- gan its career with the opening of the present year (i88i). Sunday-school Work. 175 time, fearing the competition of old and independent estab- lishments already supplying the trade. At length, in 1867, the proposition to unite with D. Lothrop & Co., of Boston, who thought to go into the Sunday-school publishing busi- ness, was favorably entertained. At a special meeting of the Corporators, Jan., 1S68, Revs. G. T. Day, I. D. Stewart and S. Curtis were constituted a committee with discretionary power, which resulted in a partnership between the Printing Establishment and the said D. Lothrop & Co., and the pub- lication of Sunday-school books commenced. The said firms jointly offered a prize of ^500 for the best manuscript for Sunday-school books. From the copies offered six of the best were obtained, and the prize paid. Then a $1,000 prize was offered for the same purpose, and a series of six- teen books pubUshed. Soon after another prize of $500, and so the best talent of the denomination was enlisted in this good work. The publication of books continued to the number of forty-four, when, Feb. i, 1877, the partnership was closed, the Establishment at Dover selling out its inter- est in the aforesaid books to D. Lothrop & Co. It would be gratifying to record the origin and progress of Sunday-schools in the different parts of the denomination, but we have been able to collect but few of such items. The Rhode Island Association of Freewill Baptists have a Sunday-school Union of their own and of much efficiency, commenced at a session of the Rhode Island Yearly Ivleet- ing at South Kingston, Aug., 1854. Our first Sunday- school among freedmen of the Shenandoah valley, Va., fol- lowed at once upon the freedom of the slaves, and the close of the war of the rebellion. The first was formed at Harper's Ferry by Rev. N. C. Brackett, in 1865. They are now found all the way from Martinsburg on the north to Harris- burg on the south, wherever our Home Mission has planted its representative teachers. Sunday-schools were also or- 176 Centennial Rccoj-d. ganized at Cairo, 111., in the same year, by P. C. Talford and are now found in nearly all the churches in the mission. The first Freewill Baptist Sunday-school west of the Mis- sissippi was in Iowa, organized in the log-cabin home of Rev. N. W. Bixby, our Home Mission's first missionary to that territory, in the year 1848, only two years after the ter- ritory became a State. Mrs. Ruby Bixby, wife of N. W. Bixby and recently called from labor to reward, .was for a long time its superintendent. Our first Sunday-school in India, says Mrs. H. C. Phillips, was at Sumbhulpore, and Si- las Curtis, now pastor of the church at Jellasore, his sister, Kate N. Thurstin, and David Marks, native converts, were its charter members. The last two have passed to their re- ward. In conclusion we invite special attention to a few items rel- ative to our Sunday-school history and work : i . The Free- will Baptist Sunday-school Union has done a quiet but com- mendable work and deserves aid and encouragement, much more than have hitherto been given it. Prior to 1870 con- tributions of money and general reports were meager. From this time churches and Sunday-schools grew more liberal and enterprising. From 1870 to 1875 money raised by Sunday- schools, for Sunday-schools and for benevolence, was re- ported separately, that for Sunday-schools amounting to ^52,660.50 and that for benevolence to ^12,977.50, making an aggregate of $65,638, more than $13,000 per year. From 1875 to 1879, the contributions were reported as one, amount- ing in the four years, to $30,479, aggregating in the ten years the handsome sum of $96,117, more than $9,500 per year. But the sum reported to, and by, the Union was from less than one half the Sunday-schools reported in the " Register," and the " Register " reports the schools of little more than two thirds the aggregate membership of the denomination. It would hence seem a safe estimate to place the amount of Sunday-school Work. 177 money contributed by Sunday-schools of the denomination in the last ten years alone at ;^200,ooo, or at $20,000 per year, — a liberality of which we have no occasion to be ashamed. 2. The number of conversions reported by the Union dur- ing the past ten years, is 8,085, about one to every twenty- four to thirty of the scholars. But as we have said, the Un- ion reports less than one half the Sunday-schools reported in the " Register," and the "Register" reports the Sunday- schools of only about two thirds of the churches, indicating that the annual conversions from the Sunday-schools of the denomination are nearly or quite two thousand. 3. Our teacliing force numbers probably six thousand and a half. 4. The number of Sunday-school scholars reported in the " Register " is less by considerable than that of the reported membership of churches, showing that there is a great lack of outside missionary work in behalf of the church and Sunday- schools. 5. More than one third of the churches of the denomina- tion make no report of their Sunday-school work, a lamenta- ble and inexcusable neglect. Finally, so far as we have been able to compare the reports of our Sunday-school work with those of other de- nominations, the degree of liberaHty and the number of con- versions in our Sunday-schools are quite equal, in proportion, to those of other denominations. May He, who, eighteen centuries ago, blessed little chil- dren, bless and extend this heaven-boni institution, the Sun- day-school, to the uttermost parts of the earth. TEMPERANCE. The history of temperance work done by Freewill Baptists during the hundred years just closed is for the most part un- written. It has not been done, as a rule, tlirough organized societies, and so but few records of it are preserved. In this brief paper, little more can be done than to bring together these records, along with some facts and incidents that are found presei-ved only in the memories of aged persons now living. These are sufficient to show that during the cen- tury our people have done a very commendable work, and have made their influence very generally felt for good in the line of temperance. Our motto has been, total abstinence for ourselves and prohibition for all disposed to engage in the manufacture, importation, sale or use of that which will intox- icate. In commenting on the position of our people on this ques- tion, John P. Hale once said that whenever he met a Free- will Baptist he expected to " find a true friend of anti-slavery and temperance." Gen. Neal Dow in speaking of the same, under date of June 24, 18S0, said this : " I have been well acquainted with the position of the Freewill Baptist denomination on the subject of temperance and prohibition from the beginning of the organization. I have traveled extensively over the country for many years, and have come in contact with a great many persons of that Temperance. 179 denomination, — ministers, laymen and women, — and I do not remember one who was not thoroughly a friend of this great movement, as they are to-day. . . . Their ministry has ever been among the most indefatigable, earnest and useful workers, never sparing time or labor in the cause. Without them the cause would not stand where it does to- day." A few historical facts will reveal the prevailing sentiments of the people, and their customs concerning the use of intox- icating liquors as a beverage, previous to the temperance re- form, and help us the better to understand how severe the fight our fathers made, and the more fully to appreciate their work. When Rev. Solomon Lombard was ordained as first minis- ter of the town of Gorham, Maine, among the supplies for the occasion, a Ust of which is still in existence, were two barrels of cider, two gallons of brandy and four gallons of rum. That must have been a very spiritual occasion ! In Randall's day, at Quarterly and Yearly Meetings, it was customary for intoxicating liquors to be sold in tents. Preachers would m-ge sellers to desist, but usually to no pur- pose, as no laws against the practice then existed. Once when a meeting was being held in Benj. Randall's bam, a man commenced selling rum in the shed. Mr. Randall, learning the fact, went to the shed and at once drove him from the place. He beheved in, and practiced, legal suasion. The original list of articles furnished for Randall's funeral in 1808 is still in existence, and first on this list we find "one gallon of rum, 7 s." In 1822, fourteen years after the death of Randall, the New Durham Quarterly Meeting held one of its sessions at New Durham. Two barrels of cider were purchased with which to entertain visitors in at- tendance, and was paid for by the church at the rate of two dollars per barrel. I So Centennial Record. One of the fathers of our denomination, speaking of the condition of things previous to the temperance reform agi- tation, and the general drinking customs of the people, said this: " The world was swimming in alcohol. Men's blindness was unfavorable to reform and their appetites almost forbade it. The element of destruction was so diluted that it was ac- commodated to every taste from the man who took it fresh and fiery from the distillery, down to the child who drank it from the coddle cup, or nursed it from the breast of its moth- er. Portions were regularly taken in the field, and also in the mechanic's shop. It was the first resort of the attorney on leaving the bar, the judge on leaving the bench and the juror on leaving the box. And, must I say the same — I say it with shame — of him on leaving the pulpit whose duty it is ' To train by every rule Of holy discipline to glorious war The sacramental hosts of God's elect '? " The physician first drank, then prescribed to his patient. Not a family, rich or poor, was without it. Side-boards and cup-boards were laden with vessels containing wines, brandy, gin and St. Croix. Not a Rechabite was to be found, or if there was he was reproached for his singularity and niggard- liness. All seemed bound one way." Such was the state of things, even fifty years ago, that it was thought a marriage, birth or burial could not, or at least should not, take place without intoxicating liquor of some kind. Not a building could be raised, or a hard job of work done without it. It was the chief article of social entertain- ment. It was made the test of friendship, and the pledge of agreements. Indeed it seems to have been generally regard- ed the chief guardian of bodily health, and the panacea of every disease that flesh is heir to. It was kept regularly for sale at grocery stores, and was one of the chief articles of Temperance. i8i commerce, as numerous journals now in existence will testify. It was used quite generally by clergymen and church mem- bers. One of the fathers very early in the temperance reform said : *' Rum in the church has caused me more tears and anxie- ties than all other evils put together which I have found in it since my connection with it." To breast this mighty tide of public sentiment and general custom, dislodge the enemy from his strongholds, in which by long-continued and almost universal usage he had become thoroughly entrenched, and stay his progress and fearful rav- ages, required a moral and Cliristian heroism scarcely less than that of the martyrs. It is hardly necessary to say that the foundations of the temperance reform had to be laid amid opposition such as we know little about. Scorn, ridicule and even persecution were plied in numerous ways. Often those who had the courage to openly oppose the drinking customs of the day were socially ostracised. Reproach and ridicule were heaped •with a lavish hand upon every man, woman and child who dared sign a pledge of total abstinence. Their reputations were assailed, and their motives grossly misrepresented. But the fathers were equal to the work, and with the pledge of total abstinence in their hands, and the principle of love and prohibition in their hearts, they boldly entered the fight. The courage with which they commenced this work is well exemplified in the following words of one of our early and most honored ministers : " I identify myself with it (the temperance reform) for bet- ter or for worse. Dear as is the blood which courses in my veins, I stand or fall with it." The son of one of our prominent ministers at one time rented a building of his father, and commenced the work of 1 82 Centennial Record. selling rum. The father, learning the fact, not only ejected him at once from the building and broke up his wicked traffic, but caused him to be arrested and imprisoned. Rev. Clement Phinney used to say : " I would rather sleep in a temperance man's barn than to sleep in a palace owned by a rum-seller." Another incident well illustrates the spirit of our ministry. Rev. Albert Purrington at one time had carried a load of bar- ley about ten miles to market. While the barley was being unloaded he learned that it was being purchased for distilling purposes, and at once said to the agent : " You can't have my barley." He had the bags reloaded that had been taken off, and carried every bushel of the grain back to his home. On being reminded that he was a poor man, and asked what he would do with his barley, he answered promptly and with much emphasis : " I would rather let it rot and use it for fertilizing my land than sell it for purposes of intemperance." What is knoA\Ti as the temperance reform commenced in 1826 with the organization of the American Temperance So- ciety in Boston. Our denomination fully identified itself with the cause at that time, without waiting to be pushed in- to the work by the force of circumstances, or till it became popular. At this time Rev. John Chaney was living in Farmington, Maine, and feeling a strong conviction that something should be done to stay the tide of intemperance, and rescue at least some of its numerous victims, with Spar- tan courage he opened the fight in his own town single- handed and alone. He drew up a temperance pledge — the first he ever saw — in 1826, the very year in which the great reform movement commenced. This pledge he used with some degree of success, though from the beginning of his work he met with great opposition, as might have been ex- pected. With reference to his experience with this pledge Mr. Chaney says : " I had droll kind of luck for awhile, but I kept on and fi- Tem-perance. 183 nally prevailed. I first showed it to Dr. Barker, in Wilton — a good Congregationalist. He said, ' That's right, but a little ahead of the age. I am afraid it would hurt my practice to sign it just now, but go on.' " He went on patiently, persistently, heroically, and great good was accomphshed. In 1840 he removed to South Ber- ■vick, Maine, where he took a bold stand for total abstinence, and had a severe fight with the enemy as the sequel wU show. He preached, lectured, distributed tracts, and used all possible means to awaken the public mind to a sense of the appalling evils of the liquor traffic. He boldly character- ized the traffic as " of necessity a crime of great magnitude, and as such should be treated in all departments of society and punished in all courts of justice." This greatly enraged the rum-sellers who began to threat- en his life if he did not leave the town. One of them shook his fist in his face and angrily said : " If it were not for the law I would shoot you as soon as I would kill a snake." " But," says Mr. Chaney, " I forgot to be frightened — still keeping on in my work." The following incident occurred in connection with his work in 1842, and is related in his own language : " One day while I was away from home attending a Quar- terly Meeting in New Hampshire, a plot was laid to mob my house. I got home about 11 o'clock at night. My family had retired to bed. Unconscious of danger, but cer- tain of the rectitude of my intentions, I kneeled by a win- dow and prayed, as was my custom before retiring. Then I arose and stepped before the window, when a volley of stones and bats came crashing against the sash and through the glass. The sash was broken out, and the glass dashed into my clothes, but, strange to say, personally I was un- scathed. I ran to the door. The cowardly assassins took to their heels and fled." 1 84 Centennial Record. There seems little doubt that they intended either to greatly injure him or take his Hfe. His escape seems al- most a miracle. A popular lawyer of the place said con- cerning the affair : " Mr. Chaney, you have done a great deal for temperance before, but this is the best blow you have struck yet." And so it proved. As a result the temperance cause was more warmly and widely espoused in the vicinity by all classes than ever before. Mr. Chaney was one of the heroes who helped to lay the foundations of the temperance reform, and make possible the glorious victories which have since been achieved. The earliest recorded official action of our people on this subject was taken by our second General Conference held in Sandwich, N. H., in 1828. At that Conference Rev. Ro- sea Quinby, D. D., presented the following resolution, which was adopted : Resolved, That we advise the members of our churches to abstain from the use of ardent spirits on all occasions, except when they are necessary as a medicine. The second important action on this subject was taken by the General Conference held in Meredith, N. H., in 1832, although we have good evidence that efficient work was done in various sections during the intervening years. At this Conference a committee was appointed to draft reso- lutions for the consideration of the Conference, which had never been done before. As these are the first recorded resolutions of importance adopted by the General Confer- ence they are given in full. Art. I. Resolved, That we will totally abstain from the use of ardent spirits or use them only as a medicine when no good substitute can be pro- cured. Art. 2. We will not vend nor be concerned in vending the same, will not provide them for any persons in our employment nor furnish them as drink for friends. Temperance. 185 Art. 3. We will use our utmost endeavors to prevent their use as a djtink by every person to whom our influence in any way extends. Art. 4. As officers of the church we will lay our hands on no man who uses them or advocates their use as a drink, and will record our vote against approbating any such as ministers of the Gospel. Resolved, i. That we earnestly entreat every Yearly and Quarterly Con- ference to resolve itself into a Temperance Society, recognizing the above principles. 2. That we consider it unbecoming the Christian character to speak lightly of so important a cause as that of Temperance, and that we earnestly pray our brethren for Jesus' sake not to strengthen the hands of the sinner and the drunkard by countenancing their opposition to temperance soci- eties. 3. That it is the duty of ministers to speak publicly upon the subject and to form temperance societies wherever it is practicable. 4. That the sale of ardent spirits is an ungodly traffic, that those engaged in it are guilty of promoting misery and vice, and hence are virtually lead- ing souls down to hell, and that any who are engaged in it, except for medi- cinal purposes, ought to be labored with, and if they persist in it excommu- nicated. It is difficult to see how stronger resolutions could be adopted, or more advanced ground taken ; and yet we learn from an article in "The Morning Star " of the same year, that some members of the Conference refused to sign them because they were not strong enough. These recommendations of the General Conference were heeded to considerable extent. Quarterly and Yearly Meet- ings and Ministers' conferences were organized into temper- ance societies in various sections, and good results followed. In the work of nearly every General Conference since 1832 temperance has found a large place, and over and over again, as a people, we have put ourselves on record as op- posed to the manufacture, sale or use of everything that will intoxicate. In the same year in which the General Conference took the important action just referred to. Rev. Arthur Caverno preached a powerful temperance sermon in the town of Hopkinton, N. H., in which he gave all the drinking cus- 1 86 Centennial Record. toms of the day a broadside, and took strong ground against what was then known as " temperate drinking," or " drink- ing enough and what is needful." In speaking of the evil of the rum-trafific he used this strong language : " On whatever side the subject is viewed, whether in the manufacture, sale, purchase or use, it presents its horrors. War, pestilence or famine presents no parallel. To me Death, upon the pale horse, and Hell following with him cuts not a more frightful figure. " There is no evil or miser}^ which this can not and does not produce. I like to have said rags and blood cover the ground wherever it goes." This sermon was published by our Printing Establishment in the following year — 1833 — and was the first publication it sent forth to the world. From this time onward the subject was taken up generally and heartily by our people, our ministers preaching and lect- uring on the subject with good effect. The light of "The Morning Star " on this subject has nev- er been dim, and unlike too many periodicals of its kind it has never had any apologies to make for the rum-traffic. It earnestly espoused the cause at the beginning of its work. Its first number appeared May 11, 1826, and on Oct. 5th of the same year appeared its first editorial on the evils of intemperance, though several articles touching the subject had appeared previously. In 1834 it established a Temper- ance Department, and devoted a portion of its columns to the subject each week. It gave faithful accounts of temper- ance work in all parts of the world, and always had a word of cheer for those engaged in the great battle, and this too while many other papers were ridiculing the temperance cause, and apologizing for the rum-traffic. But there are forms of intemperance other than the use Temperance. 187 of intoxicating liquors, against one of which especially our people early began to use their influence. And there is need of much work still in the same direction. Cleanliness of body and purity of soul ought to accompany each other, to say nothing of the vast and useless expenditures of money and of vital energy which are so much needed in other di- rections. In 1839 our General Conference, held in Ohio, adopted the following : Whereas tobacco is one of the most deadly poisons in the vegetable kingdom, and its use injurious to the health and happiness of mankind, therefore, Resolved, That the use of tobacco is in direct opposition to the true principles of temperance, that it becomes us as a denominadon to labor for the removal of this evil from among us, and especially firom the ministry ; and that we earnestly entreat our brethren who have been engaged in the filthy practice of using this obnoxious weed to abstain therefrom. In 1853 the General Conference adopted the following: Resolved, That the use of tobacco, either in chewing, smoking or snuf- fing, is too expensive, injurious to health, filthy and detrimental to Christian character and influence to be indulged in at all, especially by the ministers of Christ's precious, self-denying Gospel. As a people we early adopted and have endeavored to en- force the principle of prohibition, believing that legal as well as moral measures are needed for the promotion of temperance, and that proper restraint is a part of God's great law of love. The following resolution, adopted by our people early in the temperance reform, weU deiines their position on the legal aspect of the question : That the vender of intoxicating drinks is responsible for the evils of which he is knowingly, unnecessarily and voluntarily the author, and should be regarded by the community as guilty of all the misery and crime and death which he produces, and that our lawgivers should by the enactment of laws to this eflfect protect the community from the harmful and merciless influence of the traffic in intoxicating drinks. 1 88 Ccntcnnml Record. As a people, too, we believe that our voting should be in harmony with our prohibitory belief — in other words, that we should vote as we pray — as indicated by the following reso- lution of the fathers : That in our opinion where temperance is the issue it is the imperative duty of all Christians to give their suffrages only to such men as can be re- lied upon as the avowed friends of prohibitory law for the suppression of the liquor traffic. During the early years of our history we, in common with other religious denominations, were accustomed to use in- toxicating wine at the communion table. But nearly half a century ago our fathers saw the inconsistency of this prac- tice, and took steps to have it discontinued. As early as 184 1 our General Conference took definite action in the matter, and recorded itself as utterly opposed to the prac- tice, expressing the belief that there was " neither evidence nor ground of inference from Scripture that Jesus Christ or the apostles made use of fermented wine at the solemn feast at which the Lord's Supper was instituted, or at any other time." Our churches were advised to prepare and use none but unfermented wine at the communion table, and the advice was generally regarded. This position, taken nearly half a century ago, has been firmly maintained ever since, — a posi- tion which, we regret to say, some religious denominations have not yet taken. We can discover no reason why any individual or church should insist on using at this most sacred feast what they would not deign to use at any other. And any church which continues the use of fermented wine at the communion ta- ble does so at the disapproval of the body to which it be- longs. Although much efficient temperance work had been done in all the sections of our denomination, a conviction had long existed, and constantly grew stronger, that we Temperance. 189 ought to have a denominational temperance society through which more systematic work might be done. This convic- tion culminated in definite action at the General Conference held in Hillsdale, Mich., in Oct. of 1871, when the Freewill Baptist Temperance Union was organized. The object of this Union is fully set forth in the following words, quoted from its constitution : — " It shall be the ob- ject of this Society to build up a public sentiment in favor of temperance throughout the denomination and the coun- try at large." This society has done, and is still doing, a good work. It holds its meetings annually, at which the various phases of the temperance question are discussed, addresses given and plans laid for work. From it has gone out an inspiration to the toilers in every part of the field. It has caused its light to be seen and its power to be felt throughout the de- nomination and even beyond its limits. We are now, more than ever before, recognizing the importance of preventing as well as of curing intemperance — of saving the children while they are children, and of so training and educating them that they will not fall into the snares of the tempter. We are learning the chameleon's philosophy of destroying the crocodile in the egg. Much successful temperance work has been done in our Sunday-schools. In many of them temperance finds a large and warm place. The pledge is circulated, and faithful in- struction given. Within the past year Rev. E. W. Porter, of Lowell, Mass., has prepared and had published a Ritual and Pledge Card designed for use in juvenile organizations. They are neat, simple and comprehensive and well adapted to the purpose for which they are designed. They may be used on a week day or on the Sabbath, and either may be used independent- ly of the other. At the annual meeting of the Temperance ipo Centennial Record. Union, held in Olneyville, R. I., in 1879, these were adopt- ed as our basis of work among the young, and their use was recommended throughout the denomination. The rec- ommendation is being adopted to some extent. Some of our Sunday-schools are already organized, and using the Rit- ual and Pledge Card with satisfaction and success. And we hope that many more may soon follow their example. While we rejoice in what has already been achieved in the line of temperance reform, and praise God for the part he has enabled us as a people to bear, may a sense of the magnitude of the work yet to be done inspire us with cour- age and zeal to go forward and accomplish still more in the future. ANTI-SLAVERY. When Benjamin Randall and others united as a church one hundred years ago, that germ of the denomination was organized in the interests of freedom. Free grace, free sal- vation, free will and free communion were the peculiar char- acteristics of their faith. And our centennial would be in- complete, did we not allow the record to show that their love of freedom was afterwards developed as the times called for its practical application. For half a century Freewill Baptists, in common with oth- ers, gave little attention to those living in the distance, at home or abroad. Their first care was to establish their own existence, and help their neighbors as best they could. And while thus employed, they did not realize that Ameri- can slavery was making itself permanently secure in both Church and State. More than 2,000,000 of human beings were then held as chattel property, and the number was rap- idly increasing. Those men, women and children were bought and sold like cattle, torn away from kindred and friends, and fed and clothed as the interest or caprice of owners might dictate. They were driven by the lash to their daily tasks, were kept in ignorance, and had " no rights that white men were bound to respect." Such was slavery when the clarion voice of Garrison start- led the nation in 1830, with this announcement : '■'^Immedi- ate Effiancipatioti is the tight of the slave ami the duty of 192 Centennial Record. the master.^'' The attention of our people being called to this subject, the investigation was short but conclusive. Their fondly cherished principles of God's free grace and man's free will did not allow them to long occupy any doubtful position on the question of human freedom. A large number in both the ministry and the laity at once accepted the anti-slavery platform as right, and the advocacy of its principles as a duty. The American Anti-slavery Society was organized in Dec, 1833, and for once only did "The Morning Star" speak in a tone of half-suppressed utterance. It soon took a bold and unflinching position on the side of freedom, and there did it stand till slavery went down. In June, 1834, the New Hampshire Yearly Meeting endorsed its position, and recommended it to the patronage of all " brethren and friends." The same year, now 46 years ago, a clergyman in the Farmington Quarterly Meeting, in Maine, gave no- tice that he should introduce anti-slavery resolutions at the next session. Others besought him to do no such thing, as it would do no good, and would probably result in great evil. The resolutions were introduced, and a brother minis- ter went forty miles to help defend them.* After a long, earnest, Christian discussion, they were adopted with only one or two dissenting votes. In March following, the Rockinghafn Q. M., in New Hampshire, Resolved, That we will, as Christians and Christian ministers, use our influence to promote the doctrine of immediate emancipation; in doing which \vc wish to treat the oppressor and the oppressed in the spirit of the gospel. The speeches at the New Hampshire Anti-slavery Society in June, 1835, ^^'^''^ reported in " The Morning Star," and that encouraged abolitionists while it exasperated pro-slavery *Rev. John Chaney introduced the resolutions, and Rev. Silas Curtis de- fended them. Anti-slavcry. 193 men. Ten days later the New Hampshire Yearly Meeting convened at Sugar Hill, Lisbon, a rich farming town above the mountains. Our first missionary elect to India, and one to the West were to be then ordained ; and Rev. Dr. Cox, of London, and Rev. Amos Sutton, returned English mis- sionary from India, were advertised to be there. These ex- pectations called out unusual numbers from all parts of the Granite State, and both Maine and Vermont were largely represented. In that great meeting, full of missionary inter- est, the poor slave was not forgotten. Rev. David Marks arose, holding a paper in his hand, and said : Brother Moderator : — It is entirely proper for this Yearly Meeting to speak in behalf of the Africans who have a natural right to freedom. By the law of God also, they are free. But the laws of nature and of God have been vio- lated ; and the great Lawgiver has said, " He that stealeth a man and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death." The Church in America is guilty of the sin of slaveholding, because she has never come up and borne a firm and united testimony against it. Men tell us to be still, and wait a more favorable opportunity. We have been still for a half century, until half a million of slaves have increased to two and a half millions. No, brethren, we must not be still ; we must wash our hands from the guilt of this sin ; we must preach and pray and labor to have slav- ery abo-lished in the District of Columbia, and its principles condemned throughout the Christian Church. He then read and moved the adoption of this resolution : Resolved, That the principles of immediate abolition are derived from the unerring Word of God ; and that no political circumstances whatever can exonerate Christians from exerting all their moral influence for the sup- pression of this heinous sin. Rev, Jonathan Woodman said : I agree with brother Marks that the church is guilty of the sin of slavery, and it becomes us to wash the stain away. There is a God who will take the part of the oppressed.* 194 Centennial Record. He did in Egypt and he will in America. He will scourge us for our sins, and I have long trembled for my country, while I have remembered that God is just. Do men ask, "What can we do?" We can do away with slavery in the District of Columbia. We can pour in our memorials till the floors of Congress shall groan under the weight of our appeals. The South will not stir, New England must. I second the resolution. These extracts show the position of the speakers, who were followed by others, and the resolution was unanimous- ly adopted. Similar resolutions were adopted in Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island and New York, but the actual com- mitment of the denomination to the anti-slavery cause was at the General Conference in Byron, N. Y., in October fol- lowing, when representatives from every Yearly Meeting were present, and after a free and full discussion it was unanimously Resolved, That slavery is an unjust infringement on the rights of the slaves ; an unwarrantable exercise of power on the part of the master ; a potent enemy to the happiness and morals of our slaveholding population ; and, if continued, must ultimately result in the ruin of our country. Surprised at the entire unanimity with which this and oth- er resolutions were adopted, the Conference immediately Resolved, That we have abundant cause for gratitude to God, that as a denomination, we are so generally united in our views on the distracting subject of slavery. All this action may seem very natural and easy to those who know not the pro-slavery spirit of those perilous times. But let it be remembered that the American Anti-slavery Society then had sixty lecturers in the field, who were carry- ing light and truth all through the North. Conviction was at work, and every week Christian ministers and laymen, philanthropic men and women were openly declaring their 'opposition to slavery. And for an entire denomination to Anti-slavery, 195 do this in advance of all others, was too much for endur- ance. Slaveholders became alarmed, and in their exaspera- tion indicted abolitionists, offered bounties for their heads, and threatened them with the halter if found in the South. They called upon business men of the North to stop this ag- itation, or lose all their profits from the Southern trade ; they called upon pohticians to stop it, or see the defeat of their party ; upon State legislatures and Congress to stop it by le- gal enactments, or it would ruin the country and divide the Union. They called upon Christian men in the North to cease their agitation, or be held responsible for bloodshed and insurrection ; and in the spirit of authority over free- men of the North as well as slaves of the South, they called upon all men everywhere to crush the abolition movement. The iron-willed Jackson, himself a slaveholder, was then in the presidential chair, and exercised his full power in up- holding slavery. Congress refused the right of petition, and did what it could by pro-slavery legislation. Courts ruled in the interests of slavery, and popular sentiment sustained their decision. Political papers called on the church-going people to "starve out the negro preachers," and no minis- ter could allude to slavery in sermon or prayer without of- fending somebody. Friends became alienated, churches di- vided, and many a faithful pastor was left without a compe- tent support, or dismissed on short notice. In addition to this, fearful riots, mobs and persecution now began their dreadful work, and from 1835 it seemed for three years as if Satan was unloosed. Garrison was driven from his office in Boston by an infuriated mob, rescued by the police and locked up in jail as the only place of safety. Anti-slavery meetings were broken up, audiences dispersed, speakers insulted, arrested, and a few were killed. Anti-slav- ery presses and offices were demolished, publications de- stroyed and a reign of terror was inaugurated. Such were 196 Centennial Record. the circumstances under which those true and fearless men, — a few of whom are still living witnesses of the terrible struggle, but most of them are to-day in the better land — under such circumstances did they put themselves and the denomination on the side of justice and right. To present more definitely the triumph of principle over IDolicy, please consider a few specific facts. In 1S36 the Printing Establishment had been twice refused an act of in- corporation, because the "Star" was an abolition paper; $15,000 were due for our publications, and many persons refused payment unless a different policy was adopted ; ev- ery mail brought letters, some of them vile and abusive, or- dering the discontinuance of the " Star," because of its abo- litionism, and for two years the list of subscribers was con- stantly decreasing. The Trustees were then personally re- sponsible for debts amounting to $6,000, and it was a time of very great pecuniary embarrassment. Some of our people were fearful of an utter failure of the Printing Establishment, and more were anxious to modify the utterances of the " Star," so as to avert from the denomination the public odi- um heaped upon abolitionists, and to reconcile the disaf- fected members. A crisis had come, and a special meeting of the Trustees was called. The discussion of the question continued through the day, nor did it cease with the expiring twilight. Through the livelong night they considered the subject with an interest equalled only by the consequences that hung upon its decision. It was not till the morning light shone in upon that wakeful, wrestling board, that a vote was attempted. The question was then submitted : " Shall ' The Morning Star' pursue its present anti-slavery course?" Every answer was in the affirmative save one. Righteous decision ! And the exact influence of it, in securing the fi- nal overthrow of slavery, v/ill not be fully known till the Anti- slavery. 197 great day when all secrets will be revealed, and all actions weighed in the divine balance. An act of incorporation for the Printing Establishment was first asked for in 1835, and refused, the " Dover Gazette " and " New Hampshire Patriot," two leading pa- pers in the interest of the dominant party, said, because the " Star " was an abolition paper. The petition was annually renewed, and once would have been granted with this pro- vision : " If the Trustees of said corporation shall publish, or cause to be published any books, tracts or pamphlets upon the subject of the abolition of slavery, the charter shall be void ; " but the legislators were promptly told that no such charter would be accepted. After ten years of failure a political change in the State government was effected, largely by "The Morning Star" and Freewill Baptist influ- ence, and in 1846 an act of incorporation was given. For several years an act of incorporation was refused to the Home Mission Society, lest, as was then said, it would send forth "missionaries to preach abolitionism." But none of these things moved our people to swerve them from their rights or their duty. In 1837 the General Conference Resolved, That slavery, as it exists in this country, is a system of tyranny ; of tyranny more cruel and wicked than the oppression and wrong practiced by any other civilized nation in the known world. But the next Conference at Conneaut, Ohio, in 1839, was one of surpassing interest on the slavery question. Four clergymen, and as many churches from New Hampshire, sent a communication complaining of the anti-slavery action of the Rockingham Quarterly Meeting, and the political charac- ter of " The Morning Star." After hearing the complainants, it was unanimously Resolved, i. That this Conference, believing the anti-slavery cause to be 19S Centennial Record. the cause of God, recommends to every Christian, and Christian minister, to use all proper means to promote its interests. 2. That this Conference highly approves the decided and straightfor- ward course of " The Morning Star " on the subject of slavery. Dr. William M. Howsley, a licensed preacher from Ken- tucky, came to the Conference, united with the church in Conneaut, and proposed to receive ordination at the hands of Conference, giving the assurance that at least twenty thousand members would be secured to the denomination from free-communion Baptists in the South. His Christian experience and the examination were satisfactory, till it was ascertained that he was a slaveholder. He acknowl- edged slavery to be " a great moral evil, a scourge and a curse," but declined to give freedom to a mother and her three children, even when men offered to put them- selves under bonds to give them three years of education, and otherwise provide for their comfort and usefulness. Men in Conference and out of it began to take sides, and the interest became intense. As the session opened the next morning, a crowded house was anxiously waiting for the report of the council. The report was short, clear and de- cisive, in these words : " As Dr. Howsley claims property in human beings, we can not ordain him as a minister, nor fel- lowship him as a Christian." The discussion that followed was generally calm, but intensely interesting and sometimes exciting. The best speaking talent of Conference was called into exercise, others not members, ministers of other de- nominations, lawyers and all who desired to speak were kindly heard. When the vote was finally taken the report was unanimously adopted. And in that vote perished all the bright hopes of accessions from the South. The free-communion Baptist churches of North and South Carolina were in fellowship with the Freewill Baptists of the North, slavery excepted ; and the same Conference Anti-slavery. 199 that could not ordain or welcome a slaveholder from Ken- tucky, did not care to continue fellowship with the 5,000 from Carolina, with their adherence to slavery ; and so they were no longer acknowledged. It was a bold and unprece- dented act for a denomination in that day, to thus cut itself off from all connection with slavery, but such men are the stuff of which heroes are made, and it is our centennial joy that neither hope nor fear, flatteries nor frowns, worldly favor nor public scorn could divert them from their convictions of right and duty. And to-day it is our pleasure to pay our predecessors this high tribute of honor, and say, while too many Christians and churches would vary with the changing winds of public opinion, and box the compass in changing their time-ser\dng policy, our fathers, like the needle to the pole, had a fidelity to liberty and liberty's God that was steadfast and persevering. The hosts of freedom were now everywhere marshaling for the conflict, and in their steady advance, slaveholders saw, as never before, the peril of their "peculiar institution." Their condition was becoming one of desperation, and their pliant tools in the North hastened to their rescue. Politi- cians and divines transferred to the Bible as its basis, this in- fernal institution, all drenched in the blood of its victims, and vocal with their groans. They claimed for American slavery patriarchal authority, called it a divine institution and charged abolitionists with the guilt of fighting against God. To rebuke this impious audacity, the General Con- ference at Topsham, Maine, in 1841, Resolved, That we look upon the attempt to impute slavery to the Script- ures, as moral treason against God's Holy Word ; tending directly to the overthrow of all confidence in the Bible, and to make infidels of the rising generation. Three years later it was Resolved, That this Conference believes it to be the duty of all Christian voters to act on anti-slavery principles at the ballot-box. 200 Centennial Record. At the Anniversaries in 1842, a committee was appointed to draft a constitution, and at the New Hampshire Yearly Meeting in June, 1843, at Lisbon, the Freewill Baptist Anti- slavery Society was organized, with Rev. Jonathan Wood- man as president. For twenty-five years this Society did valiant service in keeping the slavery question fresh before the people, and the reports of the Secretary and the address- es at the anniversaries usually awakened a thrilling interest. And not till the vile system was abolished by constitutional amendment did the Society vote for dissolution. The pro-slavery efforts of Congress reached a climax in 1850, in the enactment of the Fugitive Slave Law. It au- thorized the slaveholder, or his agent, to go into any State in the Union, and seize the fugitive from slavery, and remand the helpless victim into hopeless bondage. It also said, " All good citizens are hereby commanded to aid and assist in the prompt and efficient execution of this law." In just fourteen days after this enactment the General Conference convened at Providence, R. I. Soon after it was organized, a minister of Him who came " to preach deliverance to the captives," one who was himself a fugitive, and yet pastor of one of our churches in the city, inquired if Conference would approve the purpose of the fugitives to defend them- selves against the kidnappers, then supposed to be in the city. The scene at once became grandly sublime. Before those Christian men stood their brother in the ministry, lia- ble any hour to be torn from his family, his friends and the people of his charge, as one had been in the city of New York a few days before, and they themselves were liable to be called on to aid in his arrest. These facts called forth such outbursts of sympathy and indignation as no written words can express. After an hour or more of spontaneous combustion, the subject was referred to the committee on slavery. When the day and hour for the report arrived, the Anti-slavery. 201 large house was densely crowcled. The report specified the features of the law most disgraceful to the nation, wicked to man and insulting to God, and closed with three resolutions, of which this is the first : Resolved, That we deliberately and calmly, yet earnestly and decidedly deny any and all obligation on our part to submit to the unrighteous enact- ment of the aforesaid Fugitive Slave Law. Also, that, regardless of un- just human enactment, fines and imprisonment, we will do all that we can, consistently with the claims of the Bible, to prevent the recapture of the fu- gitive, and to aid him in his efforts to escape from his rapacious claimants. This report was discussed for nearly four hours, by men from eight or ten different States, and unanimously adopted. In Ohio, eleven years before, we saw some of the anti-slav- ery heroes of the denomination ; but here, in Rhode Island, we see the heroic spirit and unbending principle of Chris- tian martyrs. " Remember them that are in bonds as bound with them," is an injunction that Freewill Baptists did not forget. As Christians they prayed and talked for the oppressed, and as citizens they largely voted in their behalf. A few of them began with James G. Birney in 1840, and the number annu- ally increased till i860, when the masses of our people aid- ed in the election of Abraham Lincoln, — a name too dear and sacred to slip from a flippant tongue. Then came the rebellion. And when further efforts, and concessions, and compromises were urged to conciliate the rebels, there was one denomination whose record and principles would not al- low it to unite in any agreement that would perpetuate slav- ery ; and all that its members could do was to pray God to prosper the right. And when the war began, and during its progress, fifty-eight of our able-bodied ministers, and two hundred and ten Q)i owx ministers' sons volunteered in their country's defense ; and ninety-nine hundredths of all others, by patriotic preaching, praying and sympathy with the sol- 202 Centennial Record. diers in the field and their disconsolate families at home, did good service in the Union cause. When the slaves began to come within the lines of our army for protection, we contributed to their support as they were sent to the rear. And when the Emancipation Proc- lamation was issued, Jan. i, 1S63, old people and children wept and rejoiced together, that the year of Jubilee had come. The Home Mission Board at once established mis- sion schools among the freedmen, and during the next six years sent out sixty-six different persons, pious and well-ed- ucated, as teachers, and thirty-three ministers as missiona- ries and teachers, at an expense of $40,000. In the aggre- gate, two hundred and twenty-nine years of instruction and missionary service were thus given to the recently emanci- pated slaves, and Storer college is a grand monument of our continued, interest in behalf of the colored people, who are represented in this centennial Conference by three of their number. Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, in her " Sunny Memories of Foreign Lands," Oliver Johnson, in his " Life of Garrison," and others have acknowledged the efficient service of the Freewill Baptists in securing the abolition of slavery. And the complimentary letters just read, from such men as Samu- el E. Sewall, Wendell Phillips, Samuel May, Gov. D. F. Dav- is, James A. Garfield, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Frederick Douglas, are acknowledgments enough of our influential ac- tion in the anti-slavery cause. But in this statement of facts we present no claims for service performed, nor do we seek for commendation. We only record the truths of history, and are content Avith this, and the fact that " Jehovah has triumphed, his people are free." PUBLICATIONS. When the art of printing was invented four hundred years ago, there was no conception of the great work it was des- tined to accompHsh. It enhghtens the pubhc mind, gives direction to pubhc thought and opinion and awakens new hfe-and enterprise wherever it has been introduced. Only books and important manuscripts were printed for many years, and the first weekly newspaper was established in England, two years after the Pilgrim fathers landed in America. " The Boston News Letter," the first permanent journal in America, was established in 1704. Religious newspapers are of more recent date. The Con- gregationalists began the publication of " The Boston Record- er "in 18 1 5, the Baptists commenced a paper, now " The Watchman," in 1820, and the Methodists issued the first number of "Zion's Herald " in 1823. Three years later, in 1826, the Freewill Baptists commenced the publication of " The Morning Star." Books and papers were few and expensive one hundred years ago. The first publication in the interests of the de- nomination was the reprint of Henry Allen's "Two Mites," in 1784. Mr. Allen came into Maine as a New Light preacher from Nova Scotia, and brought with him a book of two hundred and fifty pages, written by himself. It was a discussion of several theological questions, and was almost the only anti-Calvinistic book, save the Bible, to which our people had access. 204 Centennial Record. The next publication was a sermon by Rev. Benjamin Randall in 1803. It was preached at the death of a child, and afterwards prepared for the press, the third edition hav- ing been recently published. "A Religious Magazine," of thirty-six pages, was published quarterly by Rev. John Buzzell, of North Parsonsfield, Me., commencing in 1811, and was continued in 1812, '20, '21 and '22. It was filled with historical, biographical and de- nominational intelligence. About the commencement of the year 18 15, Rev. John Colby published a journal of his life, embracing nearly twenty-seven years. After his death five other editions of his entire life were published, and found a large and ready sale. In 1819 Rev. Ebenezer Chase, then of Andover, N. H., commenced the monthly publication of "The Religious In- former," a magazine of sixteen pages, and continued it for eight years. It was devoted to the interests of the Free- will Baptists, and its record of facts, cheering intelligence, means of acquaintance, source of instruction and its mold- ing influence were in the highest degree beneficial. " Buz- zell's Hymn Book " of three hundred and forty-seven "psalms, hymns and spiritual songs " was published in 1823 ; and "The Freewill Baptist Register" was commenced in 1825, by Rev. Samuel Burbank, of Limerick, Me. "the morning star." In 1825 Revs. John Buzzell, Samuel Burbank and Elias Libby, all of western Maine, devised a plan for the publica- tion of a religious weekly paper, and consulted the Parsons- field Qiuirterly Meeting on the subject. After much deliber- ation and many prayers, nine men were found ready to unite in the enterprise. Their names were Henry Hobbs, Jona- than Woodman, John Buzzell, Samuel Burbank, Elias Libby, Publications. 20 1; Andrew Hobson, Joseph Hobson, Mark Hill and William M. Davidson. They issued a prospectus Jan. 2, 1826, and Feb. 4 they were legally organized under the name of " Hobbs, Wood- man & Co." Rev. John BuzzeU was more extensively known in the denomination than any other man, was an able and el- oquent preacher, had published a magazine, hymn book, &c., and consequently was chosen senior editor, though he lived six miles from the place of publication. Samuel Bur- bank, the author of "The Freewill Baptist Register," was chosen office editor and agent, and William Burr, then nine- teen years of age, came from Boston as printer, and the first number of "The Morning Star" was issued at Limerick Me May II, 1826. The circulation at first was about four hundred, and it gradually increased; only six subscribers had discontinued the paper at the commencement of the second volume The price of the "Star" was then ^1.50 per year, and with the postage added it was $2.02, or $2.25 if sent over one hun- dred and fifty miles or out of the State, while the present pnce IS only $2.00 postage included, and the paper is more than three times the size of the original sheet. THE BOOK CONCERN. In just five years to a day, after the issue of the first num- ber of the "Star," appeared in its columns the first article advocating the establishment of a denominational Book Con- cern. Other articles followed, and at the General Confer- ence m Wilton, Me., in 1831, the question was carefully con- sidered and cautiously approved. Rev. David Marks con- sented to act as agent, with Henry Hobbs, Samuel Burbank and Wilham Burr as an Advisory Committee. The agent be- came personally responsible for all contracts in the publica- tion and sale of books, and during the first year published 2o6 Centennial Record. 2,500 copies of the Minutes of the last Conference, 7,000 copies of the " Christian Melody," 5,000 copies of the " Reg- ister," 1,000 copies of Cavemo's "Address on Temperance,' and 2,000 copies of the "Character of Christ," by J. G. Pike, at a total expense of $4,000. At the next Conference, in 1832, all were pleased with the enterprise and success of David Marks as Book Agent, and he continued to be re-appointed till 1835, when he resigned, having given four years of his life to the permanent establish- ment of our publication interests, with but little compensa- tion, less than $900 in all, for his service, care, risk and re- sponsibilities of $14,000 of original debts. CHANGES IN THE " STAR " AND ITS MANAGEMENT. Five times has the "Star" been enlarged, first in 1828, when its subscription list was twelve hundred and fifty, and the last time in 1868, when it took the quarto fonn. In 1832 the proprietors offered to sell their interest to the denommation, and the General Conference at Meredith, N. H., " Agreed that the Book Agent and the Publishing Committee be advised to purchase the establishment of 'The Morning Star' on the terms the proprietors have proposed," and added, on condi- tion the purchase be made, "to them shall belong the whole management of the establishment for the ensuing year. Not a dollar was provided for the purchase, and no habilities were assumed. David Marks, as Book Agent, and Heriry Hobbs, Samuel Beede, WilUam Burr, Hosea Quinby, Silas Curtis and Daniel P. Cilley, as Publishing Committee, as- sumed the entire responsibility of paying $3,700 for the prop- erty No change was made in the editorial or financial man- agement of the " Star," but a new interest was awakened, and the subscription list increased during the year from 1,600 to 2 700 The senior editor never did more than to furnish oc- casional articles, and wrote little after the first six years. In Publications. 207 1833, after seven years of faithful service in the editorial chair, Rev, Samuel Burbank resigned, and Samuel Beede, a scholarly young man who had been employed in the Book Concern, became his successor; and the General Confer- ence in Strafford, Vermont, recommended that "The Morn- ing Star" be removed to Dover, N. H., and the change was soon effected. In March following Beede died,* and William Burr became the acting editor as well as office agent. In 1S35 David Marks resigned as publishing agent; the "Star" and the Book Concern were then united, eleven Trustees were chosen to manage the Establishment, and Wil- liam Burr was appointed financial agent and " resident edi- tor." The indebtedness of the united enterprises was $6,222.48, and for three years ineffectual efforts were made to secure a loan of $5,000 by dividing the assets into one hundred shares of $50 each, and offering them as security. Then came the financial crisis, and the remaining half of the loan could not be obtained on any terms. About the same time began the cniel pressure against the " Star " because of its position against slavery, and the doubtful question was, will it survive or perish? The denomination generally, and the Lord especially, encouraged and sustained the manage- ment, so that in 1844 the Establishment was out of debt, had a small balance of cash on hand, owned one half of the building in which its work was done, and the net valuation of its property was $14,000. Then commenced those large ap- propriations of $1,500 annually to benevolent purposes, in addition to some larger, and many smaller, donations. In 1846 the Establishment was incorporated, and in 1866 Mr. Burr was suddenly called to his eternal reward. Then did the people mourn the loss of a good man, who had been the controlling spirit in the office for more than forty years. Rev. George T. Day was chosen editor, and Silas Curtis, for a time, and L. R. Burlingame afterwards were chosen publishers. 2o8 Ce7itennial Record. The General Conference in Buffalo in 1868 provided for a division of the funds and the establishment of a central pa- per between the locations of " The Morning Star " and " The Christian Freeman." The "Star" had an office in the city of New York, during the year 1870, and Rev. G. H. Ball was editor and agent there. I. D. Stewart succeeded L. R. Bur- lingame as a^ent in 1873, and in 1875 Dr. Day passed away from earthly toil, and was succeeded by his assistant, George F. Mosher. "the christian freeman." A Western Convention was held at Chicago, 111., in con- nection with the Western Anniversaries, Dec. 7, 1866, to consider the propriety of establishing a Western paper. Prof. H. E. Whipple was chosen Chairman, and Rev. A. H. Hul- ing Secretary. Revs. G. S. Bradley, F. P. Augir, A. H. Chase, G. P. Blanchard and J. E. Davis were chosen a com- mittee to consider and report action for the convention. The following resolution, with others, after a free and full discussion, was adopted without opposition : Whereas for a number of years there has been a growing interest in favor of a Western Free Baptist newspaper, located at some central point in the West, therefere, Resolved, That we believe the time has fully come to establish such a paper. A committee of seven was chosen to act as trustees in pro- curing an act of incorporation and establishing a paper, pro- vided 2,000 subscribers can be obtained, and ^5,000 of stock secured. The committee, or corporators, were G. S. Bradley, of Wis., A. H. Chase, of Ohio, D. D. Garland, of 111., R. Dunn, of Mich., James Calder, of Pa., H. G. Wood- worth, of 111. and S. F. Smith, of Wis. On the 4th of April, 1867, the first number of "The Christian Freeman" was issued at Chicago, 111., with Rev. D. M. Graham as Editor, and Rev. A. H. Chase as Publisher. Publications. log The paper was enlarged and printed in quarto form in 1868. Clianges occurred in both its editorial and publish- ing departments, and, after four years of good service, as the patronage did not meet the expenses of publication, it was transferred to the trustees of a paper to be established in the city of New York. "the baptist union."* In 1868 the General Conference held in Buffalo, N. Y., voted to pay out of the funds of the Printing Establishment, on certain conditions, ^12,000 to aid "The Christian Free- man," and $10,000 to aid in starting a paper in New York. In the autumn of 1870 the managers of the "Freeman" proposed to the Trustees having the project of a paper in New York in charge, to unite the two interests, and issue the paper in New York, with an office in Chicago. An ar- rangement was made to carry out this plan, and a committee chosen by the two corporations to execute it, with the sug- gestion, to enhst all liberal Baptists in the enterprise, so far as possible. A meeting of the joint committee was promptly held in New York, and leading open communionists in the larger Baptist body, by invitation, participated. It was there de- cided that the paper should take a new name, and so far broaden its policy as to advocate the cause of all bodies and sections of liberal Baptists and labor to effect a union among them without change of organization or names. The duty of toleration, the allowance of diverse methods, and to a degree of diverse beUefs, was to be urged especially, as a feature of the proposed union among the various free-communion Baptist bodies, and the development of Hberal sentiments in the larger Baptist body was to be vigorously prosecuted, ♦This statement was prepared by the editor of " The Baptist Union." 2IO Centennial Record. under the conviction that it might soon become so po- tent as to change the policy of the northern portion of that body, and finally open the way to a union between them and the open-communion bodies. As the Free Baptist de- nomination was the largest and best organized among open- communion Baptist bodies, possessed colleges, schools and mission organizations, it was to be the policy of the pa- per to advocate a union of the smaller bodies with the Freewill Baptist General Conference, and the extension of the privileges and advantages that these agencies might bring to all the minor bodies, so far as possible, and to urge that in all respects the several bodies should be regarded as one people, one denomination, having but one interest, though locally known by several names. This paper was to offer itself as the organ of the several parties it aimed to represent, since it was no less the organ of either because the organ of all, the interest of all being so closely linked to- gether. The name agreed upon was "The Baptist Union," be- cause one of its leading purposes was to promote union among Baptists. But it was also to devote its efforts to ad- vance the cause of education, missions, church extension, State associations for special service and all good works among the several bodies it was to represent. On this basis "The Baptist Union" began its mission on the first of January, 1871, and prosecuted it until sold out to the Freewill Baptist Printing Establishment in 1876. Other papers have had a temporary existence at different times, for sundry purposes, by various persons, in aid of lo- cal, special, general or conflicting interests. Prominent among them were the " Repository," " Disciple," " Rum- seller's Mirror," "Christian Soldier," "Rose and Lily," " Revivalist," " Pure Testimony," and " Gospel Banner." Publications. 2i:i SUNDAY-SCHOOL PUBLICATIONS. The Printing Establishment has been Uberal in its efforts to supply Sunday-school Uterature. A Catechism for chil- dren was one of the first issues of the Book Concern. Pamphlets, two papers issued on alternate weeks, — " The Myrde " and "Tne Little Star" — question books, "Les- son Leaves," " Notes " in the " Star," a " Quarterly " and books have been pubUshed as the wants of the people have required.* THE QUARTERLY. " The Freewill Baptist Magazine " was a quarterly publi- cation, commenced in 1839, and continued three years. It served a useful purpose, but did not meet the wants of those who desired a more literary and elaborate work. At the an- niversaries in Great Falls, N. H., 1849, the purpose to es- tablish a Quarterly received endorsement, and Rev. George T. Day was chosen editor. This project failed, but in 1853 " The Freewill Baptist Quarterly " made its appearance, through the efforts of A. D. WiUiams, EH Noyes, G. T. Day, and others, Mr. Williams being the executive man. Each number contained 120 pages, and for three years it was published by Williams, Day & Co. at Provi- dence, R. L, and then it was pubHshed by the Printing Es- tablishment, Day, Graham and Bowen successively acting as editors. It was published for seventeen years, and did more during the time to develop intellectual strength and denom- inational efficiency than any pubUcation, "The Morning Star " alone excepted. In biography there have been issued a dozen volumes of various sizes; in history we have "Jones's Church History," *See paper on Sunday Schools, pp. 173-175. 212 Centennial JRecord. " History of the Freewill Baptists," '' Memorials of Free Baptists," &c. ; in theology there are the " Treatise," " Di- vine Origin of Christianity," " Free Communionist," " Man- ual on the Trinity," " Butler's Theology " and in addition to the above-named books, a large number of miscellaneous works. So far as can now be ascertained, the whole number of bound volumes is about one hundred, the whole number of different publications of a denominational character, is- sued by individuals or the Printing Establishment, including all, from bound volumes to tracts, is about six hundred and seventy. At the close of this book will be found, among the Tables, a list of our publications. ^^.C^^LyCL ^XytyV^t^n^^^^A^^ EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. PARSONSFIELD SEMINARY. The first school founded by members of the Freewill Bap- tist denomination was Parsonsfield Seminary, in Maine, which was incorporated in 1832. Rev. John Buzzell was chosen President, which office he held until his death. The first building was erected in 1832 and was burned in 1854. A boarding house was built in 1854. The grounds are am- ple and the location pleasant. The Seminary originated in a desire for a denominational school of high grade. Rev, John Buzzell labored zealously for its establishment and it received at once a generous support. It was commended to the patronage of the denomination by the General Confer- ence in 1832. Rev. Hosea Quinby, d. d., was Principal during the first seven years, and was succeeded by Rev. John Fullonton, d. D., who remained there three years. Rev. O. B. Cheney, d. D., was Principal for one year ; Prof. G. H. Ricker, from 1846 to 1853; Rev. J. A, Lowell, from 1854 to 1856, and Prof. Geo. S. Bradley for several years thereafter. Then fol- lowed a period of depression during a part of which the school was closed, and when in session was taught by sev- eral different persons. The present Principal, Rev. T. F. Millett, assumed the charge of tlae school in 1878, and it is now enjoying a good degree of prosperity. It is the aim of those now in control of its affairs to carry out the intentions 214 Centennial Record. of the founders and to bring the school up to its fornicr pop- ularity and usefulness, A large number of our prominent ministers, in New Eng- land, have been students in this school and its influence has been felt in all parts of our denomination.* AUSTIN ACADEMY. This school was first known as Strafford Academy. The building was erected in 1833; the first term of school was in the spring of 1834, under the instruction of Joshua D. Berry. The school was started by the churches of the New Durham Quarterly Meeting, but that body not being able to act in corporate capacity, the institution was incorporated in the name of the proprietors. Afterwards it went into the hands of the Yearly Meeting, which held it by trustees of its nomination. Under this arrangement the school was pros- perous for several years ; scholars came to it from far and near, and it maintained a high rank among the schools of the day. In 184S, a reorganization took place, and the institution was incorporated anew under the name of Strafford Semina- ry. This organization continued quite successful till 1866 when the Rev. Daniel Austin, of Portsmouth, offered to en- dow the school with ^5,000 if the trustees would honor him by changing the name to Austin Academy. This change was accordingly made by an act of the Legislature. Under this title it has continued and bids fair to continue in suc- cessful operation. Among the early Principals of the school are the names, Joshua D. Berry, Francis W. Upham, David Dickey, A. B., Porter S. Burbank, a. b., and Oren B. Cheney, a. b. Of the students many have filled honorable stations in *See paper on " Educational Work," p. 156. Educational Institutions, 215 life, but tlie crowning honor of tlie institution is that it helped to educate that poor boy who afterwards became the distinguished United States Senator from Massachusetts and Vice-President of the United States, Henry Wilson. LAPHAM INSTITUTE. Soon after the establishment of Parsonsfield Seminary, the friends of education in our denomination in Rhode Island began to consider the propriety of founding a similar school in that State. After considerable discussion it was decided in 1837, to undertake the work upon what was termed "the stock plan." It was believed by many that the income from tuition would pay the salaries of the teachers and that, from the profits of the boarding department, a dividend of six or seven per cent, might be paid to the stockholders. It was located at Smithville in the town of North Scituate and was called Smithville Seminary. A site was bought and three commodious buildings erected thereon at a cost, in all, of about ^22,000. The institution was incorporated in 1839, and in the fall of the same year, the school was opened with Rev. Hosea Quinby as Principal. The attend- ance was very large. The denomination had but two lit- erary institutions in New England, at that time, and students came from every State except Vermont. Here many young men and women laid sohd foundations for future useful- ness. The Seminary also aided greatly in the advance- ment of the public schools throughout the State. It was thoroughly denominational and took a strong and decided position against American slavery, the sale and use of intoxicating liquors and all other forms of sin. From the first, students were not allowed to receive visitors on the Sabbath, and it was soon found that the sacredness of the I>ord's day could be maintained in a large boarding school. A strong religious influence prevailed throughout the institu- 2i6 Centennial Record, tion. Students were encouraged to live lives of piety and those not Christians were led to become such. The cost of the property was more than the amount of stock subscribed, and the debt thus incurred proved a source of embarrassment. Dissatisfaction arose, and it be- came necessary to sell the property to pay the debts. At the sale, Mr. Quinby bought it, and continued to carry on the school as a private enterprise. It proved difficult for the school to retain its hold upon the sympathies and pat- ronage of the community, and it passed into other hands. Strenuous efforts were made to revive its waning fortunes but with little success, and in 1859 the school closed entire- ly. The Seminary lay idle and empty until 1863, when an effort was made to re-establish the school which had been so great a power for good in the State. The Hon. Benedict Lapham bought the property and soon after made it over in due form to the Rhode Island Free Baptist Asso- ciation. For this generous act the Trustees changed the name to Lapham Institute. The buildings were put in good repair at a cost of over five thousand dollars. Rev. B. F. Hayes was chosen Principal and the school was re-opened in the fall of 1863. In the summer of 1865, Mr. Hayes was elected to a professorship in Bates College and his place in the Institute was filled by Mr. Thomas L, Angell. The school continued to prosper until 1868, when Mr. Angell was chosen to a professorship in the same college. The Trustees then secured the services of Prof. Geo. H. Ricker, as Principal. The prosperity of the school contin- ued during his administration, which ended in 1874, and he was succeeded by Mr. Arthur G. Moulton, an accomplished young man and an excellent teacher. Soon after the close of his first year's work he was taken away by death. Some time before this the Association had sold the property to Mr. Wm. Winsor, who then put it under the care of Educational Institutions. 217 Rev. W. S. Stockbridge, and he continued in the school until the spring of 1879, «'hen he left and the Institute has been closed since that time. This school has had a varied histor)', and will long be re- membered with affection by many who have enjoyed the privileges it has afforded. WHITESTO\VN SEMINARY. In 1 84 1 the Freewill Baptists of Central New York bought the buildings and property of the Clinton Seminary, in the village of Chnton, Oneida Co., and opened a school. Rev. J. J. Butler was its first Principal, and under his man- agement it became a prosperous school. Rev. John Fullon- ton came to this school, as a teacher, in the summer of 1843, and in 1844 became its Principal. Increased accommoda- tions were soon demanded, and to secure these, the buildings and grounds of the Oneida Institute, in the village of Whites- boro', N. Y., were bought and the school was removed from Chnton to its new location in the summer of 1844 and took the name of Whitestown Seminary. The Biblical School of the denomination was removed from Parsonsfield, Me., to Whites- town soon after the opening of the Seminary there. Revs. M. M. Smart and J. J. Butler were appointed as instructors in that Department. Mr. Smart remained until 1849, and in 1 85 1 Rev. Dr. Fullonton succeeded him. Prof, (now Rev.) D. S. Heflron was Principal of the Seminary in 1845 -6, and a member of the faculty from 1 841 to 1848. Prof. Samuel Farnham was its Principal from 1846 to 1853. He was succeeded in that office by Prof. James S. Gardner, who occupied the position until his death in the spring of 1880. During all this time the Seminary has held a high rank among the educational institutions of the State. It is esti- mated that more than 10,000 pupils, in all, have received in- struction in its classes. Few schools have been more highly 2iS Centennial Record. favored in respect to the generally wholesome influences pervading them, and this has been due to the high personal character of the teachers and the judicious and salutary dis- cipline that has always been maintained. It has had a long and useful life ; it has encountered difficulties but it has a large army of friends among its alumni, and deserves to live and thrive for a long time to come. GEAUGA SEMINARY. This school was opened in 1S44, ^t Geauga, Chester Co., Ohio. Revs. R. Dunn and A. K. Moulton were among its founders. David Marks was general agent for collecting funds. A farm of eighty acres was bought vvith the view of manual labor by the students, but the experiment was not successful. The Trustees rejected the first charter granted them because the Legislature had inserted a clause exclud- ing persons of color from the privileges of the school. The next year a satisfactory charter was obtained and the school opened under the instruction of Asahel Nichols. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Branch were soon engaged and began work in February, 1845. The school prospered from the outset. A fine building was erected and many cottages were built for the accommodation of students. Mr. and Mrs. Branch were obliged to leave the school in 1S49, ^Y reason of fail- ing health, and were succeeded by Rev. Geo. H. Ball, who was then pastor of the church and had been employed as an assistant teacher in the school. In 185 1 Rev. Geo, T. Day became Principal. It was here that Gen. James A. Garfield became a Christian and determined to acquire an education. About this time Hillsdale College was established and as the patronage of the Seminary had declined considerably, it was thought best to sell the property and concentrate in the college. The work done during the short life of the school Educational Institutions. 219 was of great value to our churches and the world. The fra- grance of its influence has always been sweet and helpful and the general fruitage surprisingly large. Its work is per- petuated in Hillsdale College and in the lives and character , of the men and women who enjoyed its advantages. HILLSDALE COLLEGE, In the year 1844, Rev. L. B. Potter and others secured the adoption of Quarterly Meeting action in favor of a Free- will Baptist school in Michigan, and Rev. Cyrus Coltrin was employed for a short time as general agent. Spring Arbor secured the location of the school and in December, 1844, in a vacated store, with one teacher (Rev. D. M. Graham) and five students, the school was opened. A charter, which gave the name of Michigan Central College but without au- thority for conferring degrees, was secured, and L. B. Potter and L. J. Thompson were employed as assistant teachers ; two buildings worth a thousand dollars each were soon pro- vided. Within four years the first Professor resigned and Rev. E. B. Fairfield was elected to fill the place ; the char- ter was also amended so as to give full college powers. But there was no room for students, nor any endowment for the teachers. The location proved to be unfavorable and the question of a change was agitated privately. At the annual meeting in January, 1853, Profs. Fairfield and Dunn were appointed a committee to make inquiries respecting a more favorable locality. As soon as this was known at Hillsdale, a committee was appointed in that place and measures adopted for securing the location of the college. Funds were raised and the comer stone laid in Hillsdale, July 4, 1853. A building, with a front of two hundred and sixty feet, and extending from forty to sixty feet in the rear, with four stories above the basement, and worth seventy-five thousand dollars, was built. The college was opened in No- 220 Centennial Record. vember, 1855, with pledges for endowment of about fifty thousand dollars. This amount has been gradually in- creased, so that now, besides a good many subscriptions of but little worth, a little over one hundred thousand dollars is well invested and secured. When three of the principal buildings were burned in 1874, the college was free from debt, but, in rebuilding, a debt of nearly ten thousand dol- lars was incurred, and is not yet removed. During the three years since new buildings were erected there has been a constant increase of numbers in attend- ance. Rev. E. B. Fairfield, d. d,, was President of the college at the time of its removal to Hillsdale, and continued in that position until June 17, 1869. After his resignation, Rev. James Calder occupied the position for a few years, and was succeeded by Rev. D. M. Graham. In 1874, Rev. D. W. C. Durgin was elected to that office and still continues in it. The number of graduates from the college is 450, and there are now 146 fitting for college in its Preparatory Department. A large number of our ministers, in the West, and not a few in New England, and eight of our missionaries in India have been educated within its walls. It is steadily increas- ing in strength and usefulness and bids fair to go on in its noble work for a hundred years to come. NEW HAMPTON INSTITUTION. This school was incorporated as an Academy in 182 1, and located at what is known as the "Center." John K. Simpson, Esq., was the chief donor to its funds. Soon after its opening the Calvinistic Baptists desired to assume con- trol of it, promising to give it their patronage if this could be done, and in 1825 the management of its affairs passed .into their hands. In 1827, the Female Department was opened at the " Vil- Educational Institutions. 221 lage," about two miles from the "Center," on the grounds where the Seminary now stands. In 1829, a course of The- ological study was arranged and a class formed in that de- partment. As the school had no endowment it became necessary to remove it to a location where one could be raised for it, and this was done in 1852. When this was de- cided upon, the friends of education in the vicinity began to inquire if something could not be done to continue a school where one had been maintained so long. These in- quiries soon developed a conviction in many minds that the Freewill Baptists could sustain such a school. It was de- termined that an effort would be made to raise funds suf- ficient to reorganize the school. Steps were at once taken to reach this end. Col. R. G. Lewis, a wealthy and influen- tial citizen of the town, entered heartily into the work. He gave liberally of money, and hard work and good advice, and, in many ways, did much to make certain the success of the new enterprise. Without his help the work could not have been done. A strong interest in the school was mani- fested among those who were called to become its friends and patrons. An Act of Incorporation was obtained, Jan. 5, 1853, and an organization of its new Board of Trustees was effected soon after. The buildings of the old school were rebuilt and the female department of the school opened April 2, 1853, under the instruction of Mrs. C. P. Stanton, assisted by Miss Clara Stanton and Miss Mary S. Latham; three weeks later, the male department was opened with Prof. Benjamin Stanton as Principal, and Rev. I. D. Stewart as teacher of Mathematics. There were nearly one hundred students in both departments, which were soon united in one school. The school rapidly increased in members and the aggregate annual attendance has been over five hundred ever since that time. In 1853 the old "Brick," at the "Center," was taken down and the materi- 22 2 Centennial Record. als used in the construction of " Randall Hall," and a wood- en building of two stories was built for a boarding house. About the same time the building known as the " Lodge " was opened for a ladies' boarding house. In 1858, the Trustees bought the "Center House." In 1859 the old vil- lage church, which had served as a chapel, was taken down and " Chapel Hall " was erected. The Trustees now own and occupy six buildings, two of which are brick. In 1854, the Biblical School was removed to this place from Whitestown, N. Y. This department under the in- struction of Rev. J. J. Butler, d. d., and Rev. J. Fullonton, D. D., occupied a portion of the Institution building, but was entirely distinct from the other departments of the school, being under the control of the Education Society. It was removed to Lewiston, Me., in 1870, having had an average attendance of about twenty. Prof. A. B. Meservey, the present Principal, has been in charge of the school for several years, and through his efforts a Commercial Department, second to none in the country, has been established and maintained with increasing popular- ity. All other departments are under the care of thoroughly competent instructors and the Institution affords excellent facilities for education. PIKE SEMINARY. This school was established by the Genesee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. A wooden building, sixty by sixty-five feet in size and three stories in hight, was built for its use. About three years from its opening, under the instruction of Rev. Zenas Hurd, it was sold to a Board of Trustees representing the Freewill Baptist denomination. In this purchase Marvin E. Shepard, Esq., was the leading man, and to his untiring zeal, executive ability and noble generosi- ty the denomination is indebted for this excellent school and Educational Institutlotis. 223 the strong church which has grown up around it. He was the first President of the new Board of Trustees and fills that office at the present time. The purchase of the school prop- erty took place in the spring of 1S59. Rev. Charles Putnam was elected Principal, and the school was opened the fall of the same year. Prof. Putnam continued in charge three years, during which time the patronage was large and the school prosperous. In 1862, Prof. Putnam was succeeded by Prof. G. C. Waterman, who remained until November, 1 86 7. The school continued in a prosperous condition, though somewhat affected by the state of the country and the enactment of the " Free School Law." Rev. D. M. Stuart was next employed as Principal, and was followed in 1869 by Prof. W. W. Bean. During the years following fre- quent changes occurred until 1873, when Rev. I. B. Smith was chosen Principal, which place he still occupies. In 1871 and '72 an endowment of $25,000 was secured by sub- scription, thus placing the school on a solid foundation. There are no debts and the property is in good repair. The school is steadily advancing in public favor and its literary standing is superior to that of many older schools in the State. MAINE STATE SEMINARY. The Seminary at Parsonsfield, Me., was burned to ashes on the 2ist of Sept., 1854. A few days later action was taken which led to the calling of an educational convention at which measures were adopted resulting in the establishment of the Maine State Seminary at Lewiston. The charter was granted March 16, 1855, and the corner-stone of Hathorn hall was laid on the 26th of June, in the same year. Ap- propriate exercises were held on the occasion. Rev. M. J. Steere delivered an oration and addresses were made by other gentlemen. The school opened Sept. i, 1857, with 224 Centennial Reeord. 137 students and received a large patronage during the entire twelve years of its existence, and 76 students were fiitetl for the New England colleges. There seemed to be a demand for a Free Baptist college in New England, and it was de- cided in 1863 to organize in the Seminary a Freshman class. This may fairly be regarded as the beginning of Bates Col- lege, into which the Seminary was finally changed. A bril- liant future was opening before the Seminary and many re- gretted the change, but it was felt to be the only way in which to secure the much needed college. It is only justice to say that the Seminary was the child of the heart of Rev. O. B. Cheney, who, under God, was its founder. He was able to gather to his assistance a noble company of earnest, sagacious, Christian men and women. The membership of our churches has stood faithfully by him in the long and ard- uous work to which he has given himself and which is yet unfinished. It was his keen vision that discerned the op- portune moment for undertaking the enterprise, and his un- tiring faith and zeal and hard work that carried it to so suc- cessful a completion. To him, more than to any other hu- man agency, is the denomination indebted for what has been accomplished at the point which has become the center of our educational work in New England. Other noble men have been associated with him and so sustained and encour- aged him that he has been permitted to see a remarkable and gratifying success in his work. BATES COLLEGE. The origin of this Institution has already been stated in the foregoing sketch of the Seminary which was its predeces- sor. It took its name from the Hon. Benj. E. Bates, late of Boston, who gave a large amount of money to it during his life, and made a generous bequest in its favor in his will. It has employed from the first an able faculty, and the institu- Educational Institutions. 225 tion has been of the most thorough and scholarly character. Two hundred and nine students, of whom six were ladies, have graduated from its courses of study. There are now more than one hundred and thirty students in its classes. The first lady to graduate from a New England college re- ceived her diploma from Bates College in 1869. There are now fourteen ladies in the college, eight of whom are in the Freshman class. The college owns a very valuable property in real estate and has the nucleus of an endowment which its friends hope to see made sufficient within a few years to enable it to go on with its important work without emban-assment. It has fur- nished to our denomination eighty ministers, and there are now in the different departments of the institution forty young men having the ministry in view. MAINE CENTRAL INSTITUTE. When it was decided to change the Maine State Seminary into a college, it was felt to be necessary to establish, at some convenient point, a school which should be similar to the Seminary in its plans and methods, in which students might enjoy all the opportunities that had been afforded them in that institution. This resulted in the founding of the Maine Central Institute, at Pittsfield, Somerset Co., Me. The location is one of the finest in the State. .A school was begun in 1866, but the Institute was not permanently opened until the fall of 1867, since which time it has been uninter- rupted. In 1868 a fine brick building was erected, affording the school all needful accommodations. In addition to the usual classical and scientific courses of study, a normal course was established in which specific instruction was given in the preparation of teachers for the public schools. More than one hundred have already graduated from the different courses of study, and a large number of these have entered 2 26 Centennial Record. New England colleges. The Institute, though young, has done a noble work for Cliristian education in the State and will doubtless continue to increase in power and usefulness as its age increases. / CHESHIRE ACADEMY. In the year 1858 a high school was opened at Cheshire, Gallia Co., Ohio, by Rev. P. W. Perry and taught for ten months, during which time a deep interest in education was awakened among the Freewill Baptists of that vicinity. Through Mr. Perry's influence the citizens were induced to establish an Academy in that village. A building was erected in i860. Mr. Perry began the first term of school in the new building on the tenth of December, i860; he continued in that position for several years, during which time the number of students varied from thirty-five to eighty- five. The Academy continued in existence for a number of years but was finally discontinued and the building sold to the town for the use of the public schools. WILTON COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE. This school, located at Wilton, Iowa, was opened Dec. 6, i860, under the conviction that the Freewill Baptists west of the Mississippi needed and would support a good education- al institution. A citizens' Seminary was contracted to the Freewill Baptists and they, within three years, built a valua- ble boarding-house and gave the school a generous patron- age. A considerable amount was pledged for an endowment, and several wealthy individuals were intending to give it sub- stantial aid as soon as certain titles and conditions were se- cured. Before this was completed difficulties arose which have embarrassed the institution for several years, and it is doubtful if these hindrances to its prosperity will be removed so that the Institute will accomplish all that its founders de- signed. Educational Institutions. 227 LYNDON LITERARY AND BIBLICAL INSTITUTION. For many years the Freewill Baptists of the State of Ver- mont felt the need of a school of their own. In the year 1855, the Vermont Yearly Meeting detennined to make an effort to establish such a school, and appointed a committee to select a location. The committee decided to recommend the location on which Lyndon Institution now stands, and a special session of the Yearly Meeting was called to consider the subject. A remonstrance against this location was pre- sented, and a change was made, but no decisive action taken. After some years the western section of the Yearly Meeting established the Green Mountain Seminary, at Waterbury Center. The friends in the eastern portion of the State, now more anxious than ever for a school so located as to accommodate their students, obtained a charter in November, 1867. It was more difficult to secure the funds with which to erect a building and put a school in operation. A subscription amounting to ^11,350 was raised in Lyndon, but became null and void by limitation, in October, 1868. Soon after this the citizens of the town held a meeting at which it was voted that the town would undertake to raise $20,000, provided that $5,000 should be raised elsewhere. The Wheelock Quarterly Meeting agreed to raise $4,000 of the proposed amount. These subscriptions were raised and the corner-stone of the Institution was laid, on the 27th of August, 1869. -"^ large, commodious and elegant brick building was erected upon one of the most beautiful locations in New England. The scenery in the immediate vicinity is picturesque and ro- mantic. The grounds of the Institution are akeady giving promise of rare beauty in the future. 228 ' Centennial Record. The school was opened in the vestry of the church, in August, 1870, under the charge of Mr. George W. Worthen, with about fifty pupils. The next year, the building having been so far completed as to afford suitable accommodations to the school, it was dedicated, on which occasion an address was dehvered by Rev. Geo. T. Day, d. d. At this time Mr. J. C. Hopkins became Principal of the school, and remained until in the spring of 1872, when he was succeeded by Prof. J. S. Brown who still remains in charge of the school. Mr. Hopkins was a fine instructor and had given an excellent tone to the school, which Prof. Brown has well maintained. Nearly four hundred different students have attended the school since its opening. Twenty-two have graduated from its courses of study, several of whom have gone through col- lege. But Httle of the proposed endowment has yet been raised. The school is greatly prized by the entire community around it. It only needs that new friends should arise to stimulate a wider patronage and give it increased financial support to in- sure it a large measure of success in the future. GREEN MOUNTAIN SEMINARY. The Green Mountain Seminary was incorporated in No- vember, 1862. The Trustees at first decided to locate it at Sutton, but the location was afterwards changed to East Orange. For various reasons the erection of school build- ings was deferred for several years. Finally, in 1S68, the Trustees decided to remove the location to Waterbury Cen- ter. A suitable building was erected and the school opened in the fall of 1869 with a large attendance and brilHant pros- pects. Its first Principal was A. J. Sanborn, a. m. He was succeeded by C. A. Mooers, a. m., who was followed by Rev. R. H. Tozer. The school passed next into the care of Miss Lizzie CoUey who is now in charge of it. Several of its Educational Institutions. 229 former students are now active and influential ministers m the Vermont Yearly Meeting. Its founders gave generously of their means, and most of them, with others equally noble, have borne heavy financial burdens for the institution. Ow- ing to financial difficulties resulting in a great measure from the " hard times," the school has not yet fulfilled its early promise, but the clouds are disappearing and brighter days seerh to be dawning upon it. This institution will be made entirely successful when all who ought to be interested in the cause of education in Vermont work for it with the self-sacrificing zeal and energy of its founders. There would be no lack of means or students, and the school would then become a power working for the glory of God and a source of strength to the denomination. STORER COLLEGE. Early in the year 1866 the question of estabhshing a Nor- mal School in the Shenandoah Valley was discussed by the officers of the Freewill Baptist Home Mission Society and by teachers then employed among the freedmen. But no definite steps were taken until 1867, when John Storer, Esq., of Maine, proposed to the denomination through Rev. Dr. Cheney, that he would give to it $10,000 for the founding of a college for the colored people of the South on condition that an equal sum be raised on or before Jan. i, 1868. He also named O. B. Cheney, Ebenezer Knowlton, Silas Curtis, Geo. T. Day, J. M. Brewster, N. C. Brackett and Geo. Goodwin, who, with others, should be trustees of this fund and of the college. At the New Hampshire Yearly Meeting, held at Northwood, these persons met and temporarily or- ganized what was known as " The Commission for the pro- motion of Education in the South." Several other persons were chosen to co-operate with them, among whom were I. D. Stewart, G. H. Ball, James Calder, W. P. Fessenden, 230 Centennial Record. Gen, Howard and Daniel Ames. A charter was secured at once from the New Hampshire Legislature ; and an organiz- ation under it was effected, July 24, 1S67. The officers were, President, E. Knowlton ; Secretary, J. M. Brewster ; Treasurer, N. C. Bracket! ; Executive Committee, Geo. T. Day, S. Curtis, I. D. Stewart, J. M. Brewster and N. C. Brackett. This organization undertook the work of raising the required $10,000. In the meantime, a njpve- ment, led by Dr. Ball, commenced at the Genesee Y. M., and was successfully prosecuted till $5,000 or more were raised in the State of New York. Mr. Storer died during the progress of this work, and the conditions of the bequest had to be met to the letter, both in time and money. More than enough money was pledged, but in order to report it invested, two of the committee, on the last day of grace, as- sumed the responsibility of nearly $3,000, and the donation was saved. Measures were also set on foot which finally resulted in a transfer of four valuable buildings at Harper's Ferry to the Freedmen's Bureau, and finally to the school. In November, 1867, Gen. Howard paid $6,000 to the Treas- urer. The normal department was opened in October, 1867. The charter of the college was received from West Virginia in March, 1868, and the funds of the (Commission were trans- ferred to it. The bill giving it its site, with the buildings thereon, was passed by Congress and approved by President Johnson, Dec. 3, 1868. This bill was in charge of Hon. W. P. Fessenden, in the Senate, and of Gen. James A. Gar- field, in the House of Representatives. The school has sent out over two hundred teachers and twenty-five preachers. Several hundreds were converted while connected with it. The devotional spirit has always been strong in the school and many powerful revivals of religion have occurred. The religious sentiment and the pride of the students in the Educational Institutions. 231 good name of the school has greatly aided in maintaining proper discipline. Storer College has passed through severe financial embar- rassments and has encountered bitter and violent opposition fi-om the community about it, but God has wonderfully blessed the institution and it hopes to triumph over all these difficulties. Rev. N. C. Brackett has been Principal of the normal department from the first, and has been assisted by his wife, his sister, Miss Lura Brackett, and others. Rev. A. H. Morrell, Superintendent of Missions in the valley, has also been connected with the school during nearly all its existence. Too much praise can not well be given to these Christian men and women who have steadfastly labored for the welfare of the freedmen, and whose labors have already borne such a harvest. RIDGEVILLE COLLEGE. This institution is located at Ridgeville, Randolph Co., Ind. It was organized in 1867. The citizens of the village and vicinity gave twenty thousand dollars towards the erec- tion of the building, which is built of brick. It will be worth $30,000 when completed and can be finished for about one thousand dollars, which is now being raised. The charter provides that the President, Faculty and two- thirds of the Trustees shall be Freewill Baptists. The aim of its friends is to raise one hundred thousand dollars for its endowment, thirty thousand of which have been raised since 1872. Rev. John L. Collier, A. M., was the first President. He was succeeded the same year by Rev. S. D. Bates, a. m., who continues to fill the office. The number of students has not been large, but a thor- ough and satisfactory work has been done by them. Nine 232 Centennial Record, have graduated from the scientific and classical courses. Though but a child of thirteen years, it hopes soon to reach a larger growth and to do a better work. RIO GRANDE COLLEGE. Dea. Nehemiah Atwood, a wealthy resident of Gallia Co., Ohio, was converted and baptized under the labors 01 the late Rev. I. Z. Haning. He had no children and expressed his desire and purpose to devote his property to the cause of Christian education. He died intestate in 1869. His widow, Mrs. Permelia Atwood, in accordance with his wish- es, erected, near her home in Rio Grande, Ohio, a substan- tial and beautiful college building which was formally dedi- cated Aug. 30, 1876, and school was opened two weeks later. Subsequently a boarding hall was erected and the buildings and ten acres of ground, estimated to be worth forty thousand dollars, were deeded to a legally organized Board of Trustees to which the remainder of the Atwood property is willed. A clause of the constitution govern- ing the Board provides that at least two thirds of its members shall be Freewill Baptists in good and regular standing. The successful establishment of the college has been large- ly aided by the labors of R. Dunn, d. d., and Rev. I. Z. Haning. WEST VIRGINIA COLLEGE. This institution, located at Flemington, Taylor Co., W. Va., was founded in 1868. It has a substantial brick build- ing, but has no endowment. About 250 students have been connected with it in the past. Two teachers are employed and the school is doing a good work. Its friends beheve that its prospects are brightening. Educational Institutions. 233 THE BIBLICAL SCHOOL. To complete the record of our educational institutions a sketch of the Biblical School would naturally be looked for in this connection ; but the history of that School has been so intimately connected with the work of the Education So- ciety that no further reference seems to be called for than what may be found on pp. 156-166. AGED MINISTERS. One of the most interesting sen-ices at the Centennial Conference was that of the aged ministers. It was held in the evening of July 21st, and the sight of eighteen venerable men on the platform, all of them seventy or more years of age, was grandly impressive. The services were conducted by father Curtis, and after the singing of an appropriate hymn, he read the following select Scriptures : The glory of young men is their strength ; and the beauty of old men is the gray head. Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers ? Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation. Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. The hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness. They shall bring forth fruit in old age. They shall be fat and flourishing, and thou shalt go to thy lathers in peace, thou shalt be buried in a good old age. Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation. As thy days, so shall thy strength be. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my depart- ure is at hand. I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day : and not to me only but unto all them also that love his appearing. Father Jackson led in prayer. The immense audience was then addressed by father Curtis as follows : Aged Ministers. 235 " Your fathers, where are they ? and the prophets, do they live forever?" As thirty-three and a third years constitute a generation, the century of our denominational existence may be divided into three periods or generations. The first includes those ministers who were in the denomination prior to 1813, and the whole number is estimated at one hundred and twenty- one. Randall and some twenty other co-laborers had passed over the river, leaving one hundred then alive. Ev- ery one of that generation has long since passed on to his reward. At the close of the second period, in 1847, there were eight hundred and forty-three ministers then living, and some two hundred and thirty had finished their earthly course during that generation and had joined their brethren on the heavenly shore. At the present time our ministry numbers one thousand three hundred and sixty-six, and dur- ing this period probably six hundred and eighty have passed over to receive their crown of glory. Thus we estimate that not less than two thousand three hundred names have been enrolled on our ministerial record. Of this number about one thousand three hundred and seventy are in the ministry, and constitute the leaders of the church militant, while nine hundred and thirty, we trust, are in the church triumphant. At the time of my ordination in 1827 there were one hundred and seventy-eight Freewill Baptist ministers in New England, with all but two or three of whom I afterwards be- came acquainted. Now only five of them are left, and three of them, Woodman, Jackson, and myself, are here to- night. And these two brethren are the only surviving mem- bers of the first General Conference, held that same year. All the delegates that composed the second Conference in 1828, thirty-five in number, have gone home ; and I am the only surviving member of the third Conference. Not a member of the fourth or fifth Conference, in 1830 and '31, is now alive, and only two of the sixth Conference, Abial Moulton and myself; and I am the only surviving member of the seventh Conference in 1833. Surely we can say, "The fathers, where are they? " They were true and self-sacrificing men. Those toil-worn, scar-marked veterans, who stood at their post until they were summoned up higher, have laid aside their armor and gone up to receive the white robe and 236 Centennial Record. starry crown. But they have left their mantle for others, and the influence of their holy example, their burning zeal and undying love for Christ, and their great desire for the salva- tion of sinners, still live, and are felt among us. Who can say that the spirits of Randall, Colby, Buzzell, White, Phin- ney, Marks, Lamb, Burr, Hutchins, Knowlton, Day, and a host of others are not now hovering around us and giving in- spiration to this occasion? Most of them were co-laborers with the few aged- ministers of the second generation, who are still on duty. They stood shoulder to shoulder with us, my aged brethren, in many a hard fought battle for truth and freedom. We took sweet counsel together, while with untiring zeal we toiled on for the advancement of Zion. Now while near- ly all our fellow-laborers of the second generation have been discharged from the war and have passed over into the prom- ised land, their deeds of Christian heroism and their precious memories urge us forward in the good cause, and beckon us away to our eternal home. " O how sweet it will be in that beautiful land, So free from all sorrow and pain, With songs on our lips and with harps in our hand To meet one another again." It is now my pleasant duty and privilege to introduce to you these surviving ministers of the second period of our de- nominational existence. They are all past the age of three- score and ten years and are now living on borrowed time. Most of them have been in the ministry over half a century. They are now standing by their arms, with their whole armor on, at the river's brink, waiting for the orders of the com- mander-in-chief, and the boatman to take them over to join the holy ranks of their comrades, friends and kindred dear who are waiting their arrival at the gate of the Celestial City. The fathers whose names follow were then severally pre- sented, and as they were able to recall scenes from sixty to eighty years in the past, their brief remarks on the changes that have occurred, the blessings and trials they have expe- rienced, the purposes and prospects they cherish, were gratefully received by the intensely interested audience. Aged Ministers, 237 AGED MINISTERS AT THE CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE, 18S0. Name. Residence. Age. Yrs. in Min. I John Chaney, Auburn, Me. 89 50 2 Jonathan Woodman, Jackson, N. H. 82 62 3 Abial Moulton, Stanstead, P. Q. 82 50 4 Gideon Perkins, Lewiston, Me. 79 48 S EBENEZER FlSK, Bristol, N. H, 78 SO 6 Daniel Jackson, Varysburg, N. Y. 76 54 7 Silas Curtis, Concord, N. H. 76 53 8 David Moody, Sutton, N. H. 76 54 9 Chester P. Heard, Hatley, P. Q. 74 33 10 Dexter Waterman, Laconia, N. H. 73 52 II Alvah Buzzell, Franklin, N. H. 73 48 12 Hiram Whitcher, Rockport, N. Y. 71 50 13 John L. Sinclair, Lake Village, N. H. 71 45 14 John Cook, Burnham, Me. 71 44 15 N. W. BIXBY, Edgewood, Iowa. 71 43 16 Sam'l p. Ffrnald, Melvin, N. H. 71 49 17 Ephraim Harding, Ellsworth, Me. 70 37 18 H. J. Carr, Jackson, 0. C237) 70 32 238 Ccntcnnml Record. OTHER AGED MINISTERS NOT AT CONFERENCE. Name. 1 Nath'l Bowles, 2 S. Newell, 3 Ebenezer Allen, 4 Isaac Peasly, 5 James Liuby, 6 Daniel Green, 7 Stephen Russell, 8 Barnard Goodrich, 9 James Stevens, 10 Abel Hathaway, 11 H. G. Carley, 12 J. Carpenter, 13 B. H. McMurphy, 14 Moses Folsom, 15 Jesse Meader, 16 I. W. MOOKE, 17 John Davis, 18 Jonathan Fletcher, 19 I. Blagdon, 20 Joseph Edgecomb, 21 James J. Wentworth, 22 Jacob Bodge, 23 W. S. GINN, 24 Zina Moulton, 25 Benjamin Phelon, 26 J. Young, 27 H. S. LIMBOCKER, 28 Joseph Fullonton, 29 Oliver Butler, 30 Henry Gifford, 31 Isaac Fullerton, 32 John Pinkham, 33 D. M. L. Rollin, . 34 O. W. Bridges, 35 P. S. Burbank, 36 L. E. BixBY, Residence. Bethlehem, N. H. Nicholsville, N. Y. E. Dixmont, Me. Sutton, N. H. W. Poland, Me. No. Sterling, Vt. Waterville, Me. Gardner, Me. Boston, Mass. Wilton, Me. Prospect, Me. Valley Ford, O. Somerville, Mass. Effingham Falls, N. H. Dover, N. H. Swanville, Me. E. Tilton. N. H. Freedom, N. H. Carmel, Me. Mount Vernon, Me. Strafford, N. H. So. Tamworth, N. H. Orland, Me. Monroe, Me. Providence, R. I. Carmel, Me. Reading, Mich. Raymond, N. H. Chelsea, Mass. Elkader, Iowa. Wait, Ohio. Casco, Me. Byron, N. Y. Sangerville, Me. So. Parsonsfield, Me. Edgewood, Iowa. . Yrs. in ^Se. Mm. 92 91 86 85 84 83 80 80 80 80 80 80 79 79 78 78 78 . 78 77 77 77 77 75 75 74 74 73 72 71 71 71 70 70 70 70 70 65 46 52 48 52 44 40 46 40 5c 42 42 51 41 46 49 49 44 38 50 50 50 40 DENOMINATIONAL STATISTICS. DURING THE CENTURY 1780-1880. Dates. Churches, Q. Ms. F. Ms. Ministers, Alembers. Increase. 1780 I I 7 '83 13 I 4 2SC* 273* '90 15 I 8 4CX)* 120* 1800 48* 6 4 30* 960* 560* '10 100* 7 4 100* 3,500* 2,540* '20 185* 15 5 152 9,cxx)* 5.500* '25 273 23 7 190 16,000* 7,ooo* '27 304 24 7 250 18,000 2,000 '30 466 30 7 310 21,499 3,499 '32 546 36 8 342 25,270 3.771 ■35 750 55 10 481 33,882 8,612 •38 804 62 12 627 35.540 1.658 ■41 989 91 17 645 47,478 11,938 '44 1,167 102 22 781 60,125 12,647 ■47 1,178 "5 24 843 51,944 Decrease. ■50 1,158 125 26 862 49,657 " ■53 1,130 129 28 889 50,264 607 '56 1,150 126 28 924 48,974 Decrease. '59 1,206 132 29 1. 133 56,026 7,052 •62 1,285 142 31 1,219 58,055 2,029 '65 1,297 145 31 1,277 55,676 Decrease. •68 1,276 148 29 1,221 59,211 3.535 '71 1,386 15s 34 1.309 66,909 7.698 '74 1,504 161 35 1,269 70.576 3.667 '77 1,464 168 38 1,421 74.651 4.075 '80 1,446 mated. 166 41 1,442 80,520 5.869 •Eslli (239) YEARLY MEETINGS. Names. Organ- ized. Rec'd by Gen. Con. No. when Reed. No. in Q.M 1880. 1880 New Hampshire, \ 1792 1827 3,681* 9,104 8 Maine Western, a + •92 '27 2,308* 4,736 4 Maine Central, b t '92 '27 4,587* 6,305 5 Vermont, \ •92 '27 2,241* 2,928 6 Holland Purchase, 1821 ■28 1.650 2,107 5 Ohio, '25 •28 350* 647 2 Susquehannah, ■27 •29 687 1.259 4 Penobscot, '32 '32 2 3c^ 4,514 8 Ohio River, 33 '35 272 3.415 7 Ohio and Pennsylvania, .34 '35 1,667 1,673 5 Rhode Island and Massachusetts, '37 '37 2,205 6,058 3 Michigan, '39 '39 460 4,288 11 Indiana Northern, •40 '44 442 806 4 New York and Pennsylvania, '41 '41 847 967 4 Illinois, '41 '44 837 987 6 St. Lawrence, •42 '44 793 560 2 Union (N. Y.), •42 '44 803 903 2 Genesee (N. Y.), '43 '44 2,077 1347 4 New York Central, '43 '44 1,649 2,057 5 Indiana, ■43 '47 303 324 2 Pennsylvania, '44 '44 260 366 2 Wisconsin,' '45 '47 439 1,997 7 Ontario (Ca.), •46 '50 660 504 1 St. Joseph's Valley (Mich.), •48 '53 i83 1,025 4 Illinois Central, 'so 'so 289 2,029 5 Iowa, '51 '53 218 2,264 9 Minnesota, ■58 '59 S8i 746 3 Liberty Association (Ind.), •68 556 556* I Ohio " (Ky. & 111.), •68 1,069 1,069* 1 Minnesota Southern, •69 '71 654 478 3 Shelby Association (111.), '71 60a 600* I Ohio Central, d •70 '71 1,429 1,465 5 Virginia Association, •70 '71 615 967 3 Illinois Southern, '70 '71 1,527 1,883 3 Tow River Asso. (N. C. & Tenn.), '74 915 915* 2 Union Association (Tenn.), '74 926 926* 2 American Asso. (N. C), '74 S-^7 517* 2 Bengal and Orissa, '75 '77 429 377 2 Louisiana, '77 287 549 3 Kansas and Nebraska, '77 '77 213 325 4 Kentucky, •78 •80 806 806 2 Ohio and Kentucky, '79 •80 1,171 1,171 2 North Carolina, ■80 4,000 4,000 S 43 80,520 166 'Estimated. tTliese Y. Ms. had one book of Records, aud four sessions ■were held annually, one in eacli locality. a Parson etteld t'oimerly. b Kennebec formerly, d Uuiou of Northern Ohio, or- ganized 1831), aud Marlon, organized 18-13. (240) GENERAL CONFERENCES. Place. iTunbridge, Vt. Sandwich, N. H. Spafford, N. Y. Greenville, R. I. Wilton, Me. Meredith, N. H. 7 Strafford, Vt. S'Byron, N. Y. 9 Greenville, R. I. 10 Conneaut, O. 11 Topsham, Me, 12'piainfield, N. Y. 13 Sutton, Vt. 14 Providence, R. I. I- Fairport, N. Y. i6'Maineville, O. 17 Lowell, Mass. 18; Hillsdale, Mich. 19 Lewiston, Me. 20! Buffalo, N. Y. 21, Hillsdale, Mich. I 22 Providence, R. I. 23 Fairport, N. Y. 24 Weirs. N. H. Tune. 1 4 Oct. II, 1827. " 9. 28. 4 " 10, 29. 4 " 14. SC- 4 " 12, SI- 4 " 10, S2- 4 " 9. S3- 6 " 7. 35- 7 " 4. 37- 6 " 2, 39- 5 " 6, 41- 6 " 2, 44- 7 " 6, 47- 10 " 2, 50- 9 " 5. 53- 8 " I. 56. 8 " 5. 59- 8 " I. 62. 8 " 4. 65- 9 " 7. 68. 8 " 4. 71- 8 " 7. 74- 9 " 3. n- 8 July 21, 80. 9 t5 35 15 IS 14 21 24 24 25 28 41 53 51 52 57 57 56 60 55 71 71 73 78 8£ (241) Moderators. Enoch Place. Nath'l King. Henry Hobbs. S. Hutchins. Benj. Thorn. S. B. Dyer. S. Whitney. J. M. Harper. J. Woodman. Martin Cheney. F. W. Straight. E. Knowlton. E. B. Fairfield. J. O'Donnell. E. Knowlton. D.W.C.Durgin. O. B. Cheney. Clerks. Hosea Quinby. J.M.Yearnshaw, " \P- 1- Hosea Quinby. N. Loring,/. t, Hosea Quinby. Silas Curtis. Wm. Burr,/. ^. Silas Curtis. D. Stewart. ANNIVERSARIES. THE ANNIVERSARIES OF THE BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES HAVE BEEN HELD IN OCTOBER AT THE FOLLOWING TIMES AND PLACES : 1841 '42 43 '44 '45 '46 '47 48 '49 Topsham, Me. Buxton, Me. Great Falls, N. H. Plainfield, X. Y. Lowell, ISIass. Buxton, Me. Sutton, Vt. Gilford, N. H. Great Falls, N. H. ^o Providence, R. I. ^I West Lebanon, Me 'Sa Portland, Me. 'S3 Fairport, N. Y. 'S4 Saco, Me. 'SS Dover, N. H. 'S6 Maineville, O. '57 Providence, R. I. THE ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION WAS ORGANIZED AT LAWRENCE, MASS., OCTOBER 1 3, 1 85 8. Meetings and Officers as follows : J) Place. President. Sec'y and Treas. Preacher. 1858 Lawrence, Mass. Wm. Burr. E. M. Tappan. '59 Lowell, Mass. H. Quinby. " " A. N. McConoughey. ■60 Saco, Me. Wm. Burr. D. P. Harriman. A. R. Bradbury. •61 Sutton, Vt. " " " " J. Woodman. •62 Hillsdale, Mich. " " I. D. Stewart. E. B. Fairfield. '63 Lowell, Mass. " 0. T. Moulton. •64 Providence, R. I. " " '■ " J. S. Burgess. '65 Lewiston, Me. " " " " G. H. Ball. '66 Lawrence, Mass, E. Knowlton. " " J. M. Bailey. •67 Dover, N. H. " " " G. T. Day. •68 Buffalo, N. Y. C. 0. Libby. " " James Calder. •69 Lowell, Mass. J. Mariner. " " Dexter Waterman. ■70 Augusta, Me. E. Knowlton. " " D. W. C. Durgin. '71 Hillsdale, Mich. J. Mariner. " " S. D. Bates. '72 Haverhill, Mass. " " " C. F. Penney. '73 Farmington, N. H. E. Knowlton. « •> |. Mariner. '74 Providence, R. I. 0. B. Cheney. " " 0. E. Baker. '75 Manchester, N. H. " W. H. Bowen. •76 Saco, Me. B. F. Hayes. « •< J. A. Howe. '77 Fairport, N. Y. S. P. Morrill. E. W. Ricker. A. L. Houghton. '78 Lyndon, Vt. W.H.Bowen. " " P. W. Perry. '79 Olneyville, R. I. C. F. Penney. " " G. C. Waterman. •80 Boston, Mass. D. W. C. Durgin. [At Weirs, (242) FOREIGN MISSION SOCIETY. OFFICERS AND RECEIPTS. J. Buzzell. Vrs. Presidents. 1833 ■34 '35 •36 '37 •38 '39 '40 '41 '42 '43 ■44 ■45 ■46 '47 49 'so 'SI '52 'S3 '54 '55 '56 '57 ■58 '59 '60 '61 '62 '63 •64 '65 "66 •67 "68 •69 •70 '71 •72 '73 '74 '75 ■76 '77 •78 '79 '80 E. Place. J. Woodman. Rec. Sec. H. Quinby. A. Caverno. D. Waterman J. Stevens. C. O. Libby. T. Stevens. E, Kncw'ton, J. Rand. D, P. Cilley. G, P. Ramsey. O. B, Cheney. F. Moulton. D. P. Harriman D.W.C.Durmn. Cor. Sec. D. P. Cilley. E. Mack. E. Hutchins. Treasurer. I. N. San- " [born, W. Burr. C. S. Perkins. P. W. Perry. A. C. Hogbin. O. B. Cheney. O. R, Bachelor C. O. Libby. :. O. Libby. J. L. Phillips. C. S .Perkins, N. Brooks. S. Curtis. Raised. i 368.98 986.17 1.305-30 84377 1.459-79 1,826.27 2,641.71 2,008.36 3.137-32 3.550-42 2,511-15 2,122.84 3.425-89 3,219.21 3,544.00 5,618.63 2,992.20 4.215-31 4,958.14 4.475-98 6,245.93 6,107.01 4.174-23 7,602.46 3,048.26 4.012.55 4,122.68 6,012.77 3.868.51 5.769-47 5.968.86 10,505.41 12,962.48 15,666.68 14,630.96 11,868.80 9,480.17 10,487.68 11,167.86 10,962.17 15.778-98 14.996.65 13.693-83 8,024.34 11.243-43 14,970.98 8,390.42 14.764-54 3331,785-55 (243) FOREIGN MISSIONARIES. Name. Eli Noyes, from Clementine Pierce Noyes, Jeremiah Phillips, Mary E. Bedee Phillips, Mary Ann Grimsditch PhiUips, O. R. Bacheler, Catherine E. Palmer Bacheler, Hannah Cummins (Mrs. J. Phillips') James C. Dow, Hannah Bacon Dow, Sarah P. Merrill (Mrs. Bacheler) Ruel Cooley, ' Harriet Baldwin Cooley, Lavina Crawford, Benjamin B. Smith, Dorcas Folsom Smith, Henry Covill, E. C. B. Hallam, Emily Hallam, Arthur Miller, Priscilla Hallam Miller, James L. Phillips,* Mary R. Savles Phillips Julia E. Phillips* (Mrs. Burkholder), Mrs. Hallam (second wife) A.J.Marshall, Emily Phillips* Marshall, Libbey Cilley, R. D. Frost, Richard M. Lawrence, Susan R. Libby, Mary E. French, Ida O. Phillips, Thomas W. Burkholder Hattie P. Phillips,* Frankie Millard (Mrs. Lawrence), Jessie B. Hooper, Milo J. Coldren, Mary Bacheler (Zanana Teacher) , •These members of the Phillips family were born in ludi; (244) HOME MISSION SOCIETY. OFFICERS AND RECEIPTS. Yrs. President. liec. Sec. Cor. Sec. Treasurer. Raised. 1834 S. B. Dyer A. Cavemo D. Marks W. Burr $ ■35 " " W. Burr 209.98 •36 " " E. Mack " 72373 '37 " " 1,166.00 '38 " " 871.07 ■39 J. M. Harper J. Fullonton S. Curtis 816.39 •40 J. Woodman J. C. Hill '• 164.89 '41 S. Whitney " 430.20 •42 E. Hutchins " 377-95 '43 E. Place R. Dunn 317-31 '44 N. King ]. Fullonton 448.26 '45 " E. True 872.19 ■46 " 0. B. Cheney 2,271.14 '47 J. M. Harper D. S. Frost 829.93 •48 J. L. Sinclair " 2,102.55 '49 N. Brooks 658.98 '50 T. Perkins 1, 1.449-97 '51 •' " 3.059-13 '52 " " 1,265.56 '53 " P. S. Burbank 3.253-05 '54 " " 3.486.56 '55 " L. B. Tasker 4.025.51 '56 E. Place ' 4,088.88 '57 •' ' 2,195.29 ■58 " ' 2,115.82 '59 H. Quinby ' 1,845.46 ■60 " * II 2,323.64 '61 ** ' 3,072.24 '62 " ' 2,916.93 '63 " ' 5.576.78 '64 J. L. Sinclair ' " 6,928.77 '65 J. Rand " 13.847-IS '66 " J. y. Butler S. Curtis 15.449-33 '67 " I. D. Stewart 16,114.38 "68 J. L. Sinclair J. Mariner 13,661.47 •69 " J. A. Lowell G. H. Ball 10,783.14 •70 " S. Curtis " 12,735-97 '71 S. Curtis I. D. Stewart J. S. Burgess 8,302.64 '72 " *' A. H. Chase 6,822.76 '73 " L. B. Tasker " 10,126.61 '74 E. W. Page '• 9,151.61 '75 " J. A. Lowell J, S. Burgess 7.654-56 •76 " " 5.135-51 '77 E. W. Porter A. L. Gerrish 5,614.21 '78 " G. F. Mosher " 4.845-89 '79 L. W. Anthony " " 5.634-34 '80 6,321.10 $212,064.83 (245) HOME MISSIONARIES. Name. Field of Labor. Date. Name, Field of Labor. Date, Abbey, M. H. Freedmen *i864 Lord, John Maine '43 Andrus, A. C. Ind. & 111. •38 Manning, J. S. Freedmen ■65 Atwood, M. Nova Scotia •46 Morrell, A. H. " '67 Baker, Joel Freedmen •64 Neally, B. F. N. Y. & Mich, '35 Belknap, P. W .• Wis. •48 Nickerson, S. S. Freedmen '63 Bixby, N. W. Iowa •46 Pierce, C. *♦ •66 Brackett, N. C. Freedmen •64 Pinneo, J. R. Penn. ■48 Carey, R. M. Wis. •42 Pitman, S. J. Ohio ■35 Clark, S. M. Freedmen •66 Purinton, C. Maine •66 Cooley, R. " •65 Rice, A. Freedmen '65 Davis, I. G. Nova Scotia •46 Scott, Edward " •64 Davis, K. R. '• •46 Sewall, C. M. 111. •42 Dodge, Asa Mich. ■38 Shaw, J. A. Freedmen '65 Donaldson, A. Iowa 'S3 Smith, C. H. Wis. '57 Dunjee, J. W. Freedmen '74 Smith, J. B. Ca. Fugitives 'S3 Dunn, Ransom 111. & Wis. "54 Smith, S. F. Wis. & Minn. '49 Eaton, Wm. F. Freedmen '64 Star, D. S. Wis. •46 Fuller, S. " •64 Stevens, John Maine '37 Gifford, Henry Iowa '54 Stinson, R. " •42 Given, L, Freedmen •66 Stockman, E. A. Freedmen '65 Hamlin, W. B. 111. '53 Tarbox, M. H. Maine •66 Harding, J. C. Iowa 'S3 Tasker, L. B. Freedmen •67 Harris, H. W. Nova Scotia •48 Taylor, T. 0. Ala. '74 Hayden, W. Minn. 'S5 True, C. Freedmen '65 Henderson, M. C. Nova Scotia ■42 Turner, Abel Maine '53 Hol,mes, D. G. 111. '71 Wesscher, J. H. 111. '54 Johnson, J. Freedmen '65 Woodman, J. N. E. & N. Y. '36 Jordan, C. " •65 Woodward, A. ^ . Freedmen •65 Julian, S. L. Mich. &. 111. '36 Young, Zebina Vermont '36 Knowlton, E. Freedmen •64 •The year service commenced. (246) TEACHERS OF THE FREEDMEN, EMPLOYED BY THE HOME MISSION SOCIETY. Baker, Miss A. Baker, Mrs. Adelia Baker, Miss Hattie A. Beckwith, D. Brackert, Mrs. L. W. Brackett, Miss L. E. Buzzell, Miss A. Cady, Mrs. H. Carroll, E. M. Caudle, Miss E. M. Church, Miss Abbie M. Clark, Mrs. M. Clemmer, Miss Fannie Crockett, Miss Fannie Deering, Miss E. E. Dudley, Miss Annie S. Dunn, Mrs. Anna A. Eaton, Mrs. Sarah D. Eveleth, Miss M. E. Foster, Miss Sarah J. Fowler, R. M. Fuller, Mrs. Lydia Gillespie, Miss Sarah P. Gibbs, Miss S. L. Gilmore, Miss L. A. Haight, Mrs. — . Hargene, Miss S. Harper, Miss Zilpah R, Hathaway, Miss H. Healey, M. W. Holmes, Mr. John Houghton, Mr. A. L. Jackson, Mrs. Sarah Jones, Mr. *i866 Joy, Mr. Wellington 1865 •64 Johnson, Mrs. L. F. •64 •64 Keyes, Mr. H. •67 •66 Keyes, Mrs. H. •67 •65 Keyes, Mr. H. E. •67 •68 Leavitt, Miss Ellen A. •64 '65 Libby, Miss Phebe P. •64 •65 Mains, Mrs. Climena •65 •66 Manning, Miss D. ■65 •65 Miller, Miss M. J. •65 '64 Nickerson, Mrs. Bofinda B. •64 •66 Oliver, Miss E. S. •66 •67 Piper, Mr. John W. •66 •66 Robinson, Mr. Jesse •67 ■67 Russell, Miss Sophie E. •65 '65 Scott, Mrs. Mary A. •64 •66 Shaw, Mrs. Annie M. •64 •64 Sheldon, Mr. M. L. •64 •66 Sheldon, Mrs. A. F. •64 ■65 Smith, Mrs. Martha \V. L. •64 •66 Somes, Mrs. M. M. •65 •64 Storum, Mr. James •68 •64 Stowers, Miss M. J. •66 •65 Stuart, Miss Emily •64 •66 Stuart, Miss Jennie •64 '67 Stuart, Miss June •64 •67 Tolford, Mr. Philip C. ■64 •64 Tuttle, E. A. '66 •65 Watson, Mr. J. F. '65 •68 Weller, J. •66 •68 Whitten, Miss Emily J. •67 ,68 Wood, Mrs. Lucinda E. •64 •67 Woodward, Mrs. F. M. •65 •67 Wright, Miss Anna '65 *Date when service commenced. (247) CHURCHES ASSISTED BY THE HOME MISSION SOCIETY. Athens Augusta Auburn Bangor Bath,2iid Bath, North St. Bethel Biddeford Brunswick China Cornishville Dalton Dexter Dover East Dixfield Exeter Farmington Hallovvell Harrison Houlton Kendall's Mills Leeds Levviston Pine St. Date. Yrs* 50 •61 '49 '45 •70 '72 ■51 '66 '55 '53 •70 •69 '51 '68 ■70 '60 '47 '71 •67 '63 •63 •48 '71 9 5 13 4 I 3 I 4 Lisbon Madison Mechanic's Falls Milo New Gloucester Newport North Berwick North Parsonsfield Patten Portland Richmond Rockland Sabattisville Saco Shapleigh South Berwick South Buxton Standish Steep Falls Unity Unity and Tliorndike Wayne Winnegance Date. '61 •66 '60 'S2 •67 •68 '49 ■49 '73 '43 •68 '52 '52 49 •67 'so '68 '51 '52 '73 '53 '65 ■67 Yrs* 6 NEW HAMPSHIRE. Concord East Rochester " Tilton " Washington Farmington Franklin Gonic Lancaster Lee Littleton Manchester, Mer. St. Newport North Danville 45 '66 '67 '74 '54 '71 '72 '79 '65 '71 '74 71 Manchester, Pine St. Meredith Village Milton Moultonboro' New Durham North Weare Ossipee Corner Portsmouth Raymond Rochester Wihnot Flat VERMONT. Plymouth South Barton '54 '62 '74 •66 •70 '71 '52 49 74 '69 '69 16 ap7ripHaUon'c'2menc"ed!'''' """^ ""' ""^ '^''' *° ^^^"^ «»«^ "''^ '^^^ date when (248) Churches Assisted. South Wlieelock St. Johnsbury West Charleston Amesbury Boston Fall River Haverhill Lawrence Carolina Mills Newport New Shoreham Pawtucket Pawtuxet 70 ■70 •68 SO '44 '50 '59 ■46 S3 48 Vs '66 '49 West Derby Westmore Wheelock MASSACHUSETTS. LA'nn Natick Roxbury South Boston Taunton RHODE ISLAND. •68 •69 '50 •46 •70 '52 '^o ■61 Providence, Greenwich ^71 3 Park St. [St. '63 13 Fond St. '73 4 Warren '65 3 Danielsonville Brockport Buffalo Caroline Can. Ellenburg Elmira Lowville Marilla South Vineland Bellevemon Harrisburg Albany Cleveland East Liberty Lodomillo and Delhi Evansville Ridgeville S3 SI '35 72 '73 '71 ■61 '73 •64 '70 57 •48 ■65 '52 ■38 ■69 CONNECTICUT. 5 Westford NEW YORK. 14 New York Norwich Phoenix Rochester Three Mile Bay Utica NEW JERSEY. '67 I Elwood PENNSYLVANIA. I Jefferson 2 OHIO. 2 Macedonia 6 Medina 1 Middleport 3 Springfield INDIANA. 2 Washington 2 (249) '76 '49 16 •69 4 'sr 4 ■45 II '47 4 '4; I 7^ '(>l •56 ■51 •66 '79 72 Chiiixhcs Assisted. MICHIGAN. Burlington Capac Decatur Grand Ledge Hillsdale Howard Hudson Blackberry Station Cairo Chicago Dover Elgin Fairbury French Grove Hamilton Berlin Fon-du-lac Johnstown Pike Grove Minneapolis Clay Mitchell Postville 73 ■75 '39 '75 '55 •36 '54 '57 '74 '65 '44 '42 ■71 '41 •64 •61 'SI '43 '47 55 •67 •64 '74 Jackson Lansing Northport Osseo Town 4 Volina Kewanee Livingston Mendota McHenry Mound City Pine Creek Quincy Warren WISCONSIN. 10 Racine 4 Richland I Waupun I MINNESOTA. 9 S. Anthony IOWA. 49 '49 •69 I 2 '74 ■36 '3S 2 I 2 •66 3 '43 I ■70 '67 2 I '74 3 '39 I '43 '56 2 2 'SI •66 '57 5 7 6 Sac City Waterloo 51 75 •67 Kirkville Richmond New Orleans •67 74 73 VIRGINIA. LOUISIANA. Note. Here are one hundred and sevent)'-one churches ; a greater number has doubtless been assisted by the sixty missionaries and all the Q. I\L and Y. M. appropriations, so that the entire number aided may be estimated at three hundred and fifty, (250) EDUCATION SOCIETY. OFnCERS AND RECEIPTS. Yrs. 1 President. Rec. Sec. Cor. Sec. Treasurer. Raised. 1840 S. Whitney S. Curtis J. J. Butler J. M. Harper % ■41 " " " W. Burr 572.98 •42 " " P. S. Burbank 496.61 ■43 M. Cheney " " 299-55 '44 J. Chaney D. S. Heffron " 243.06 ■45 " " " 570.92 •46 " A. K. Moulton '• 1,257.40 ■47 " D. S. Frost " 37440 •48 E. Hutchins " E. B. Fairfield 5.142.8s ■49 " " 0. B. Cheney 935-97 ■50 " r. D. Stewart " 3,567.21 '51 " " " 2.314-7S ■52 " A. R.Bradbuiy " 1,203.76 S3 P. S. Burbank " " 1.247-38 !54 " " " 2.823.55 55 " " " 1.239.45 156 H. Quinby " " 1,760.05 57 " " " 1,693.47 ■58 " I. D. Stewart •' 1,476.90 '59 T. Perkins " " 1,216.64 •60 P. S. Burbank J. Runnells I. D. Stewart 1.505.78 '61 " A. K. Moulton 1,479.70 ■62 " " 692.76 ■63 " " " 2,030.17 64 D. M. Graham " " S. Curtis 2,048.35 65 " " " 3.299.01 66 " " " 1,250.00 ;67 0. B. Cheney " " 4,972.71 68 " " W. H. Bowen 4,000.00 ;69 " " " 3.083.59 70 G. T. Day D.W.C.Durgin " 504.21 ■71 " " " 1,629.27 72 " " " 592-54 73 " " " 739-44 74 G.C.Waterman " 414.30 '75 W. H. Bowen " E. N. Fernald 1,924.86 •76 " " " 2.399-74 '77 " " " 1,417-43 •73 " " " 1,998.69 '79 " C. A. Bickford " 2,188.71 ■30 " " Arthur Given 2.1 15.39 Jotham Parson >'s Donations and Legacy 15,000.00 Total Receipts* $83,723.55 »These tipurps do not Include the Interest money from the invested funds, which has been between three and four tliousand dollars annually for many years. (251) LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. Name. s i ::5 'SI II .2 Si <_ I •A 5: ">i Atvvood Institute 1850 I i>5oo 22 3,000 Bates College 1863 6 loo.coo 134,000 7,800 10 140 260 209 Cheshire Academy* 1858 I Geauga Seminary* 1844 I Green Mountain Seminary 1862 I 20,000 300 2 38 1,000 3 Hillsdale College 1855 S 75,000 140,000 7,ooo|20 438 7.500 450 LjTidon Institute 1869 I 25,000 2,000 280 3 60 743 22 Maine Central Institute 1866 I 30,000 300 5 no 2,200 14s Maine State Seminary* I8SS Michigan Central College* 1844 2 700 New Hampton Institution 1853 6 30,000 6,000 4,000 10 7,000 400 Nichols Latin School I 200 3 69 1,000 340 Parsonsfield Seminary 1832 2 1,000 100 3 112 1,500 Pike Seminary 1856 I 11,000 20,000 450 5 95 1,500 75 Ridgeville College 1867 I 30,000 27,500 200 5 no 1,200 9 Rio Grande College 1875 2 32,000 200 4 46 269 15 Rochester Seminary 1871 I 2 41 500 10 Smithville Seminaryf 1840 3 4,000 Storer College 1869 6 40,000 13,800 3,000 8 200 800 62 Strafford Academy 1834 I 2.000 5,000 100 2 50 1,200 West Virginia College 1868 I 15,000 600 2 38 250 Whitestown Seminaryf 1844 4 48,000 1,328 8 136 10,000 400 Wilton Collegiate Institutef i860 I 'Discontinticd. +No loiiKer DeiiomiiiiUioiuU. JEstiiiiiitud. (252) SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION. Vn. 1836 '37 ■38 ■39 ■40 '41 '42 '43 '44 ■45 ■46 ■47 ■48 ■49 '5° '51 ■52 ■53 '54 'SS •56 '57 ■58 '59 •60 '61 '62 ■63 •64 •65 •66 •67 •68 •69 •70 '71 '72 '73 '74 '75 •76 '77 '78 '79 'So President. S. Runnells J. Keser E. Hutchins J. L. Sinclair A. Cavemo S. Whitney E. Place E. Knowlton H. Quinby E. Hutchins G. H. Ball D. P. Cilley J. H. Locke J. S. Burgess B. F. Hayes A. H. Morrell E. Manson J. A. Lowell R. P. Perry E. W. Porter Rcc. Sec, E. Mack J. 1. Butler J. Fullonton G. T. Day ^L J. Steere S. N. Tufts H. Whitcher Cor. Sec. E. Mack J. J. Butler J. Fullonton Treasurer. Wm. Burr J. L. Sinclair J. L. Sinclair E. B. Fairfield E. B, Fairfield J. Fullonton J. Fullonton G. T. Day M. J. Steere M. C. Morse S. N. Tufts H. Whitcher E.G.Chaddock E.G.Chaddock L. R. Burlin- L. R. Burlin- " [game " [game L.R .Burlin- " E. W. Page " [game " " D. Lothrop L D. Stewart " G. C.Waterman " " H. F. Wood L. L. Harmon " " H. F. Wood (253) TEMPERANCE SOCIETY. A TEMPERANCE CONVENTION WAS HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE ANNIVERSARIES, COMMENCING IN 1 866, WITH OFFICERS AS FOLLOWS : iS66 J. Calder, President. •67 M. Phillips, C. S. Perkins, Secretary. W. M. Jenkins, " •69 '70 ]. Rand, E. N. Fernald, THE TEMPERANCE SOCIETY WAS ORGANIZED AT HILLSDALE, MICH., OCT. II, 187 1, AND ITS OFFICERS HAVE BEEN AS FOLLOWS : Yrs. President. 1871 M. Phillips. '72 D. Boyd. '73 '74 - " '75 ■76 'jj A. L. Gerrish. •78 '79 ■£o Secretary, Rec. & Cor. A. P. Tracy. G. S. Ricker. H. F. Wood. (254) Treastirer, J. A. Howe. L. W. Anthony. A. A. Harrinsrton. ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY, ORGANIZED AT SUGAR HILL, LISBON, N. H., JUNE 8, 1 843. Yrs. 1S43 '44 45 46 '47 48 49 President. J. Woodman D. Waterman R. Dunn J. Chaney E. Fisk S. Curtis M. W. Burlingame C. O. Libby W\ H. Littlefield J. L. Sinclair G. T. Day O. B. Cheney O. T. Moulton Rec. Sec. G. P. Ramsey D. P. Cilley D.W.C.Durs^in Cor. Sec. I. C. Dame E. Noyes j. Fullonton A, K. Moulton J. Fullonton I. D. Stewart D. S. Frost T. J. Butler D. P. Harriman G. H. Ball D. P. Cilley D. W. C. Durgin P. S. Burbank W. H. Bowen Treasurer. W. Burr S. P. Morrill A. D. Smith A, D, Smith The Society dissolved ; Slavery having been constitutionally abolished. (255) WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY. OFFICERS AND RECEIPTS. This Society was organized at Sandwich, N. H., June 12, 1873- Mrs. L. R. Burhngame has been President from the date of its organization, and Miss L. A. DeMeritte has been Treasurer. Yrs. Hec. Sec. Cor. Sec. Home Sec. Receipts 1873 Mrs. M. W. L. Mrs. B. F. Hayes Mrs. L. Jordan $ 538.40 ■74 " [Smith Mrs. J. A. Lowell " 667.59 '75 •' " Miss L. A. De 1,108.25 '76 " " " [Meritte 1,269.64 '77 " " " 1,798.03 •78 " " " 3,691.58 '79 Miss S. A. Per- ■' Mrs. E. D. Jordan 3,126,22 •80 " [kins " Mrs. B. F. Hayes Total ^ 3.550.97 15,750.68 MISSIONARIES AND TEACHERS. Navie. Sovice Began. Field of Labor. Died. Susan R. Libby, from N. H. Oct. 17, 1874 Balasore, India June 24, i£ Lura Brackett, Me. Mary Bacheler, India Ida Phillips, Mich. Hattie Phillips, 111. Coralie Franklin \V. Va The Society employs about thirty-five Zenana Teachers (256) I, 1876 Harper's Ferry I, 1876 Midnapore, India 20, 1877 Balasore, India 5, 1878 Midnapore, India I, 1880 Harper's Ferry PUBLICATIONS BOOKS. Date •A Name. Author. of ^^ Issue. (5 Allen's Two Mites Henry Allen 1784 250 Andy Luttrell Print. Estab. & Loth. •69 375 Appeal to Conscience A Freewill Baptist 1843 108 Aunt Mattie P. E. & L. •69 380 Benevolent Enterprises J. J. Butler '40 175 Biographies (Names Alphabetically ar- Bad Boy [ranged P. E. & L. ■70 280 Bad Girl " •70 280 Barrett S. H., Biography Himself '72 396 Birthday Present P. E. & L. ■69 370 Bright Days " •69 257 Book of Worship P. E. •69 528 Bowles Charles, Biography J. W. Lewis '52 288 Boy's Heaven P. E. & L. •68 165 Brother and Sister " ■69 215 Building Stone '• •70 240 Burr William, Biography J. M. Brewster '71 208 Butler's Commentary, 2 vols. J. J. Butler ■70 495 Butler's Theology " '61 456 Buzzell's Hymn Book John Buzzell '23 348 Centennial Minutes of R. I. J. M. Brewster •80 60 Centennial Record P. E. ■81 26s Cheney Martin, Life of G. T. Day '53 471 Choralist " '59 248 Christ Child P. E. & L. '68 160 Christian Melody A Committee '32 608 Christian Baptism G. H. Ball '60 85 Church Member's Book A. Turner '47 192 Church Records \. D. Stewart ■76 252 Close and Open Communion C. Kennedy •68 175 Colby |ohn, Life of Himself '16 318 Daisy Seymour P. E. & L. •70 250 Day G. T., Memoirs of W. H. Bo wen •76 431 Divine Origin of Christianity J. G. Pike '37 227 Doctrinal Views P. E. •80 44 Doctrine and Life (Sermons) 23 Authors •80 287 (257) Piihlications . Elsa Eminent Preachers Evenings with the Children Facts and Reflections Free Communionist Friend of Chastity Flower by the Prison Glencoe Parsonage Golden Sheaf Qood Boy Good Girl ' Good Little Mittie Guide to the Lord's Supper Guide to the Savior Hester's Happy Summer Hindu Mythology Hinduism and Christianity in India Hints for Living History of Freewill Baptists, vol. i Hebrew Reader Jackson Daniel, Life of Jamie and Jennie Jones' Church History Judge's Sons Lectures on Truth of the Bible Lessons for Every Sunday in the Year Lute Falconer Making Something Manual on the Trinity Marks David, Memoir of Master and Pupil May Belle Memorials of Free Baptists Ministers' Manual Minutes of Gen. Conference Much Fruit Norton Lemuel, Life of Olive Loring's Mission One Year of My Life Orissa Mission Overcoming Persuasives to Early Piety Phinney Clement, Life of A. M. Hogbin 1879 S. H. Barrett '74 304 P. E. & L. •70 300 Mrs. V. G. Ramsey •48 174 Four Authors '41 214 M. J. Steere •46 142 P. E. & L. •70 3^3 " '70 256 Mrs. H. C. Phillips '80 118 P. E. & L. •70 246 " '70 246 " •68 160 G. H. Ball '52 142 A. Sutton '59 131 P. E. & L. •70 250 E. Noyes •46 92 O. R. Bacheler '58 216 P. E. & L. •70 160 L D. Stewart '62 479 E. Noyes •46 204 Himself '59 214 P. E. & L. •68 157 Wm. Jones '37 453 P. E. & L. •70 360 E. Noyes '53 364 G. H. Ball •68 168 P. E. & L. ■79 360 " •68 160 M. \V. Alford '42 120 Mrs. M. Marks ■46 516 P. E. & L. '69 351 " •69 452 A. D. Williams '73 254 L D. Stewart 'n 85 S. Curtis and L D. '59 444 P. E. & L. [Stewart '70 300 Himself '64 192 P. E. & L. '70 400 " '70 321 A. Sutton '33 424 P. E. & L. •69 400 J. G. Pike '37 250 D. IvL Graham ■51 190 (258) Publications. Piety in Humble Life Betsey Carroll 1871 84 Pocket Guide to Knowledge J. W. Barker '57 112 Precious Words (S. S. Ques.) M. L. Clark '72 136 Prison Chaplaincy H. Quinby '73 198 Psalmody Compiled 'S3 701 Quarterly (17 vols.) '53- 480 Question Books (See Titles) Rainy Day at School P. E. & L. •69 194 Randall Benjamin, Life of J. Buzzell •27 308 Registers (56 vols.) S. Burbank, first '26- 96 Review of Butler's Letters H. Quinby '32 160 Revival Harmonist J. W. Holman '44 107 Rhode Island F. B, Pulpit A. D. Williams '52 398 Sabrina Hackett P. E. k L. •69 409 Sacred Melody (Two Compilations) Compiled ■36 I So Short Comings P. E. & L. '70 269 Shining Hours P.E. •69 394 Smart's Biblical Doctrine M. M. Smart '43 330 Spirit of Roger Williams L. D. Johnson '39 94 Spiritual Songs (Hymns and Music) Compiled •81 441 Strawberry Hill P. E. & L. •70 256 Starlight Stories " ■69 215 Stevens John, Life of 0, Butler •78 120 Story of Jesus (S. S. Ques.) Mrs. M. L. Clark ■67 96 Sunny Skies P. E. & L. •69 261 Susie's Spectacles " •70 316 Torch Bearers " •70 321 Thoughts upon Thought Eng. Reprint '55 129 Trapper's Xeice P.E. ■70 300 Treatise (and Revision) Committee '34 160 Tribute of Praise (Hymns) P.E. •76 300 True Happiness T. G. Pike '34 175 Trifles P. E. & L. •70 297 When we were Young " •70 220 Who is my Neighbor " '70 240 Willie Maitland " •70 180 Wonderful Works of Jesus M. L. Clark •67 128 Youthful Christian J. Burns '44 225 Zion's Harp P.E. '44 144 (259) Publications. SERMONS. Title. Autkot. Date. Abolition of Capital Punishment A Caverno 1836 Apostolic Succession Eli Noyes ■51 Appeal to the Young M. J. Steere Battle with the Archers A Caverno '43 Book of Job Eli Noyes '51 Burr William, Eulogy of G. T. Day .67 Characteristic Sermon J. S. Swift Christ Crucified Jabez Burns '47 Christ for the Masses J. M. L. Babcock '59 Christian Patriotism E. B. Fairfield •63 Christian Philanthropy G. T. Day '41 Christian Wealth A. Given •80 Criminal Prayer Benj. Phelon Crowning of Character A. L. Houghton '80 Christ our Example P. W. Perry '80 Clearer Light E. W. Porter '80 Day, Rev. G. T. A. H. Heath '75 Death of a Child— M. F. : Herrick Benj. Randall '03 " John Brown S. N. Tufts '59 " Jonathan Horn J. B. Davis '59 " Rev. E. Hutchins " '59 Capt. J. F. Little ;field A. K. Moulton '62 Carrie W. Pendi L^xter E. B. Ladd 'l^ Lilian E. Tasker S. C. Kimball ,77 Dedication, Augusta, Me. S. Curtis '53 " New Hampton, N. H. Geo. T. Day '54 Bunker Hill, 1 Mass. J. W. Holman ■38 Desolations of Zion D. P. Harriman Divine Law of Increase D. Mott •60 Divine Agency in Human Suffering R. Dunn ■80 Divine Guidance J. A. McKewsie Doctrine of Future Life J. J. Butler •80 Emmanuel S. D. Church •80 Enthusiasm of Humanity A. H. Heath '73 Everlasting Kingdom G. C. Waterman ■So Excellent Knowledge O. D. Patch "So Free Communion A. N. McConoughey ■59 Freedom of the Will Ransom Dunn '59 Fugitive Slave Law A. D. Williams '50 (260) Publications. Gladness of Heart J. Goadby 1847 God, Source of Spiritual Life A. L. Gerrish ,80 Goodness and Severity of God D. Mott '59 Gospel Preacher Jos, Whittemore •48 Gospel Seed Corn D, H. Adams •80 History of F. Baptists in R. I. J. . Brewster '80 Infants J. B. Davis '49 Installation of O. B. Cheney D. Waterman •53 Intermediate State of the Dead Jas. A. McKenzie '53 Inviolability of Human Life J. A. McKenzie '42 Isaiah 25 : 8 E. Hutchins '39 Jesus Walking on the Sea C. S. Perkins •80 Kinship with Christ A. H. Huling ■80 Life from Within J. M. Brewster '80 Man of Sorrows W. H. Bowen •80 Man, His Adaptations and Relations Roger Ela •59 Matrimony M. J. Steere '55 Matt. II : 12 Wm. Woodsum •61 Matt. 23 : 33 H. Whitcher '39 Ministerial Gift D. M. Graham '62 Ministerial Support M. W. Burlingame Miracles Eli Noyes Miracles of Satan Silas Curtis '39 Mission of Freewill Baptists D, Waterman '59 Motives to Early Piety S. H. Barrett •6S Name of Power G. H. Ball •58 Obedience Joel Spaulding '59 Our Saviour's Sermon on Mt, Olivet E. B. Rollins '60 Pastoral Duties Martin Cheney '37 Plan of Salvation 0. E. Baker •80 Prayer and Duty T. A. LoweU '80 Popery B. D. Peck '45 Posture in Prayer 0. T. Moulton Power of Character B. F. Hayes •80 Quarterly Meeting Sermon Joel Spaulding '41 '58 Reconstruction E. B. Fairfield Reflex Influence of Benevolence B. D. Peck Reflex Influence of Foreign Missions J. L. Phillips •80 Resurrection Reuben Allen Salvation Conditional T. H. Bacheler Sermon M. C. Brown '66 Sermon on the Mount E. B. Rollins '60 (261) Puhlicattons. Signs of the Times Sin, Its Nature and Conditions Skepticism of Thomas Spiritual Worship of the Bible State of Infants Temperance Theological Research Universalism Value of a Faithful Ministry Value of the Soul Variety and Unity of the Church Victory of Faith Walking with God Way out of Doubt What is the Gospel What is it to Preach the Gospel Joseph White A. N. McConoughey G. S. Ricker E. Noyes T. B. Davis A. Caverno J. S. Burgess D. M. Graham G. T. Day M. J. Steere James Rand J. Whittemore G. H. Ball C. A. Bickford J. A. Howe Martin Cheney 1826 ■80 'SI ■49 '32 '62 •56 '53 '70 •So '8c 'So 'SI '51 MISCELLANY. Title. Address to Farmington Q. M. " at Whitestown Sem. Amateur, Amph. Soc. (Sev. Nos.) Answer to Close Communion Apostolic Succession Baptist Union (6 vols.) Bates Student (8 vols.) Catechism Catalogues of all Lit. Institutions Caverno Family Christian Baptism " Benevolence " P'reeman (4 vols.) " Ministry Contemplated " Soldier (2 vols.) " Scholar " Usefulness at School Christians Marry only in the Lord Church Discipline Covenant of Roger Williams Church Crescent, Hillsdale College (2 vols.) (262) Aufhor. Joshua Randall Geo. T. Day Robert Dick Eli Noyes Trustees Junior Class D. Marks Date. '35 '46 71- A. Caverno H. Quinby H. Whitciier O. E. Baker Trustees '67-' J. G. Pike Bachelder and Whittemore Geo. T. Day E. B. Fernald J. G. Pike J. Whittemore Junior Class 42 77 73 3 74 '39 44 '56 70 44 '42 ■46 '62 ■43 •58 •6S '74 Publications. Crisis Decision of Council, W. P. Merrill Dialogues for Sunday Schools Discussion on Universalism Doctrinal Tracts Doctrinal Confession Effective Speech, Address Evangelist ( 3 vols.) Exposition of Present Truth F. B. Mission in India F. B. Missionary (5 Nos.) Foster, Rev. John (Memorial) Full Assurance of Hope Gen. Statement of New Hampton Inst. Gospel Rill Helper (3 vols.) Hillsdale Herald (4 vols.) Hobson Family Howe, Mrs. E. R. (In Memoriam) Immortality Defended Interpretation of Revelation Issues Journal of S. H. Barrett Little Star (8 vols.) Maine State Sem. Circular Manual for Missionary Candidates Manual, Dover, ist. church " Park St., Prov. " " Olneyville " Matrimony Minister and Church Ministerial Education Minutes of R. I. Asso. (Many Nos.) Mission in India Missionary (3 vols.) Modem Spiritualism Morning Star (55 vols.) Morse, Rev. Timothy — Sketch Myrtle (36 vols.) Nature of Christ and Holy Spirit Objections to Campbellism Ohio River Y. M. Our Work in Cities (263) E. Mack 1342 A Committee ■61 Mrs. M. L. Clark •61 E. Hutchins '42 H. Whitcher *43 J. F. Joy '74 E. B. Fairfield '63 A. H. Chase '74 J. F. Joy •66 M. M. Hutchins '56 '40 J. S. Swift ■72 J. F. Joy •75 I. D. Stewart '57 E. Hutchins Mrs. J. M. Brewster •78 College Friends '77 J. M. Bailey '75 J. A. Howe '74 J. F. Joy '67 H. H. Van Amringe '58 0. E. Baker •78 S. H. Barrett '47 Print. Estab. •73 0. B. Cheney '61 ,7S •80 •80 '73 M. J. Stcere '55 G. H. Ball •67 A. D. Williams 'S3 Miss L. Crawford C. 0. Libby '76-'79 E. A. Stockman •65 Print. Estab. •26- " •36 '* '45 J. G. Pike '32 T. E. Peden '63 D. M. Graham '67 Publications. Poem Poem, Pioneer Ministers Popular Amusements Discarded Present Truth Reasons for Being a Freewill Baptist Reply to Vindication of Weare Q. M, Reports of all Benevolent Societies Revolution Unfinished Rose and Lily (i vol.) Sabbath Schools, Their Organization Sabbath School Repository Seventh Commandment, Two Lectures Support of the Ministry Sustaining the Christian Ministry State of the Denomination Tracts, (45 Nos.) Truth to Make you Free View of F. B. Olneyville Church Vindication of Boston Q. M. " Primitive F. Baptists Weare Q. M. Way of Life Weekly Offering World's Evangelization Zion's Banner (2 vols,) (264) A. R. Bradbury 1S63 F. W. Straight ■76 A. Caverno J. F. Joy •66 A. D. Williams (8 Tracts) A Committee •66 Enoch Mack ■38 Bacheler and Whittemore A Committee ■36 Print. Estab. '44 Benj. Phelon '40 A. D. Williams 'SS E. Knowlton •67 A Freewill Baptist ■56 S. H. Barrett E. Mack '39 'S7 A Committee '45 " •60 " '61 E. Mack '43 D. M. Graham E. B. Fernald '55 A. Caverno '40 PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT. PROPRIETORS. 1826-1832. PUBLISHING COM. 1832-1835. Henry Hobbs* Me., Jona. Woodman, N. H,, John Buzzell,* Me., Sam'l Burbank,* Me., Elias Libby,* Me., Andrew Hobson,* Me., Joseph Hobson,* Me., Mark Hill,* Vt, Wm. M. Davidson,* Me., Wm. Burr,* Me., Robert Cole,* Me., 1826 Yrs. 6 2 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 Yrs. Henry Hobbs,* Me., Samuel Beede,* N. H., Wm. Burr,* N. H., Hosea Quinby,* N. H., Silas Curtis, Me., D. P. Cilley, N. H., Sam'l B. Dyer,* N. H., Arthur Caverno,* N. H., 1832 1833 1834 1832 TRUSTEES. 1835-1846. William Burr,* N. H., 1835 II Charles Morse,* Me., 183s 9 Silas Curtis, Me., " II Joseph Hobson,* Me., 1839 7 D. P. Cilley, N. H., " II Jonathan Woodman, Vt., " 7 Jacob Davis,* N. H., " 6 Reuben Allen,* R. I., " 5 Enoch Place,* N. H., " II Nathaniel King,* Vt., 1 841 3 J. M. Harper,* N. H., " II Ebenezer Fisk, N. H., 1844 2 Sam'l Burbank,* Me., " 3 A. B. Bullock,* N. Y., " 2 Truman Cary, N. Y., " 9 M. W. Burlingame,* R. I., •■ 2 Elias Hutchins,* N. H. " II D. Waterman, Me., '■ 2 Seth C. Parker,* O., " II CORPORATORS. 1846-1880. Totai Total Yrs. Yrs. Wm. Burr,* N. H.. 1846 35 Jonathan Woodman, Vt., 1846 31 Silas Curtis, N. H., " A. B. Bullock,* N. Y., 6 D. P. Cilley, N. H., " 18 M. W. Burlingame,* R. I., 5 Enoch Place,* N. H., 18 Dexter WATERMAN,Me. J. M. Harper,* N. H., " 21 Ebenezer Fisk, N. H., 12 Elias Hutchins,* N. H., 24 Thomas Perkins,* N. H., 1847 12 S. C. Parker,* O., " 12 Theodore Stevens,* Me., 33 Joseph Hobson,* Me., " 13 Mark Hill,* Vt., 1850 9 •Deceased. Present members In small capitals. (265) Printing Establishment. G. H. Ball, N. Y., 1850 18 D. S. Heffron, N. Y., 1868 4 Ransom Dunn, Mich., 1853 15 C. H. Latham, Mass., " 9 A. K. Moulton,* Mass., 19 H. E. Whipple, Mich., " 3 D. G. Holmes, N. Y., 1856 3 S. D. Bates, O., 1S71 J. L. S1NCL.A.IR, N. H., C. B. Mills, Mich., 1872 I. D. Stewart, N. H., 1859 14 0. E. Baker, Iowa, 1873 D. M. Graham, Me., 9 B. F. Hayes, Me., " Ebenezer Knovvlton,* Me. 14 L. W. Anthony, R. I. " John Raymond,* Me., " 2 C. F. Penney, Me., 1875 G. T. Day,* R. I., 1862 13 E. N. Fernald, Me., G. W. Bean, Me., 13 J. M. Brewster, R. I., " L. B. Tasker,* N. H., 186S 7 E. W. Page, N. Y., 1877 THE MORNING STAR. editors. publishers. John Buzzell,* \ 1826 8 Samuel Burbank,* 1826 3 Samuel Burbank,* > 7 William Burr,* 1829 3 Samuel Beede,* 1833 I David Marks,* 1832 3 William Burr,* 1834 32 William Burr,* 183s 31 George T. Day,* 1866 9 Silas Curtis, 1866 I George F. Mosher, 1S7S L. R. Burlingame, I. D. Stewart, 1867 1873 6 EDITORS OF THE MYRTLE. EDITORS OF THE LITTLE STAR. Rev. Elias Hutchins, 1845 2 Rev. G. T. Day, 1873 Rev. Joseph Fullonton, 1847 7 Mrs. F. S. Mosher, 1874 Rev. G. T. Day, 1854 Rev. M. J. Steere, 1857 Prof. M. L. Morse, 1858 Rev. J. M. Bailey, 1866 Miss A. E. Jenness, 1870 Mrs. E. S. Burlingame, 1873 Mrs. F. S. Mosher, 1875 J THE HELPER. 7^ A Bi-Monthly Missionary Journal — 3^ 1878. 3 Published at Providence, R. I. 2 Mrs. J. M. Brewster, Editor and Publisher. (266; DATE DUE .v^ 4 ^; "• BX6373.C39 ^ _ ,, The centennial record of Freewill Pnnceion Theological Seminary-Speer Library 1 1012 00035 6925